Chiefs of central banks of China and the Europe co-chaired the first annual governors' meeting in Beijing on Wednesday, with a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed to enhance cooperaion.
During the meeting, Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People's Bank of China (PBOC), and Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank (ECB), exchanged views on issues such as economic and financial developments in China and the euro area, developments in the international monetary system and financial regulation, and key areas for cooperation between the two institutions.
The two sides signed a MoU on cooperation in the field of central banking, which includes the establishment of a governor/president-level meeting arrangement, and a framework for the regular exchange of information, dialogue, and technical cooperation between the two institutions.
Pan noted that China remains committed to promoting high-quality development through high-standard opening-up, and stands ready to enhance cooperation with other economies, including the EU, to address global challenges.
He also stressed that the PBOC will maintain close cooperation with the ECB, making good use of the governor/president-level meeting arrangement as a key platform to strengthen policy communication and promoting cooperation between the two institutions to a new level.
Lagarde said it is important that both institutions sustain global cooperation, noting that the signing of the MoU is a demonstration of continued dialogue with the PBOC.
Chiefs of China, Europe central banks hold first annual meeting, sign MoU
Chiefs of China, Europe central banks hold first annual meeting, sign MoU
Fujian Province in east China has evacuated people to safe places, called back fishing boats to the wharf, and canceled passenger trains, in its emergency response to Danas, the fourth typhoon of the year.
Danas emerged on Saturday in the northeastern waters of the South China Sea and intensified from a severe tropical storm to a typhoon on Sunday morning. Now it's moving northeast towards coastal provinces in east and south China.
Fujian has upgraded its typhoon emergency response to level III, the second lowest in China's four-tier natural disaster emergency response system, with level I being the highest and level IV the lowest.
In Dongshan County, a key fishing hub in Fujian, all of 8,773 fishing vessels returned to port on Sunday, with over 1,640 marine aquaculture producers having been evacuated ashore.
Fishermen across the county's fishing ports have raced against time to transport their catches ashore to the market before Typhoon Danas makes landfall.
In offshore aquaculture areas of Dongshan's Tongling Town, local government and fishery officials inspected every sampan and assisted fishermen with reinforcement efforts.
"We have deployed six teams, three to inspect the sampans and another three stationed at the docks, to monitor fishing vessels entering and exiting the harbor," said Lin Tiankui, deputy head of Tongling Town.
The county has implemented round-the-clock monitoring at critical locations, including fishing ports and docks, with officials taking shifts to guard against the typhoon.
In Fujian's Ningde City, comprehensive operations against the typhoon are also underway.
On Sunday afternoon, local officials helped fishermen in the coastal towns of Fu'an, a county-level city in Fujian, strengthen floating sampans and fasten fishing nets while organizing the evacuation of personnel.
"All the121 registered fishing vessels of Xiabaishi Town have been called back to harbors. All fishermen have returned ashore to our designated shelters, where we've stockpiled ample disaster relief supplies," said Liu Shusheng, captain of the comprehensive law enforcement brigade in Xiabaishi Town, Fu'an City.
As of Sunday afternoon, all 34,669 fishing vessels across Ningde City had been secured in safe locations. A total of 2,404 shelters with sufficient rescue equipment and essential living supplies have been prepared in the city.
Before the typhoon's landing, transportation networks in Fujian are also taking decisive action.
China Railway Nanchang Group initiated a Level III emergency response on Sunday, suspending multiple passenger routes across Fujian Province starting Monday morning.
Passengers affected by the cancellations can be fully refunded within 30 days of their original travel date, according to the company.
Local railway authorities in Ningde have taken comprehensive precautions, including clearing track drainage systems, inspecting roadside hazards such as unstable billboards and trees, and conducting 24-hour monitoring at flood-prone zones, particularly tunnel entrances.
To ensure traveler safety, coastal railway stations across Fujian Province have stockpiled emergency supplies and deployed additional staff to guide passengers at escalators and key passageways.
Passengers were advised to check for updates through China's official railway ticket-booking platform 12306 to plan their journeys accordingly, as service adjustments will be made in real time depending on weather conditions.
Fujian gets ready for Typhoon Danas
