China's national weather authority renewed its orange alert for heavy rainfall on Friday, as downpours continued to lash southern regions, triggering floods, disrupting transportation, and prompting mass evacuations.
In central China's Hunan Province, the local meteorological department also issued an orange alert, as the Lishui River saw its first flood of the year, leading to overflow at 234 reservoirs across the province.
The local emergency management department has dispatched fire and rescue teams to the hardest-hit areas, and more than 38,000 people have been evacuated.
Sangzhi County was in the midst of high school entrance examinations when heavy rain struck, preventing some students from reaching their test sites. In response, local authorities and firefighters quickly assembled a rescue team and deployed kayaks to transport the examinees to safety.
Many areas in central China's Hubei Province experienced the first round of heavy rainfall during this year's rainy season.
In Hefeng County, continuous downpours caused rising river levels and waterlogging in several areas. To protect residents, local officials personally assisted in evacuating affected individuals, ensuring a safe and orderly relocation.
Southwest China's Guizhou Province has activated a Level IV emergency response for flood control, as several areas issued orange and yellow alerts for geological disasters.
In Zhijin County, local authorities established temporary resettlement sites in severely affected towns and villages to ensure proper shelter for those impacted by the flooding.
Huaiji County in south China's Guangdong Province experienced its worst flooding in a century, with houses submerged, roads destroyed, and widespread power outages amid torrential rainfall triggered by Typhoon Wutip.
More than 10,000 responders from both provincial and local levels were mobilized to clear debris, repair roads, and restore critical infrastructure.
So far, all 569 communication stations affected by the heavy rainfall have been restored, along with water and electricity supplies in most urban areas.
Guangdong's transportation department has deployed over 100 engineering vehicles and more than 300 emergency rescue teams to repair damaged roads.
At present, 28 of the 30 damaged road sections in Huaiji have been restored, and all main national and provincial roadways have been reopened to traffic.
China has a four-tier flood-control emergency response system, with Level I being the highest. It also uses a four-tier weather warning system, in which red represents the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow, and blue.
Heavy rainfall, floods hit south China
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
