China's Vice Minister of Water Resources Chen Min on Friday emphasized the urgent need to strengthen the country's flood defense system in the face of extreme weather and rising water levels.
Since entering main flood season, 329 rivers nationwide have recorded water levels surpassing warning thresholds, with torrential downpours in some areas triggering secondary disasters such as flash floods, landslides, and urban waterlogging.
Speaking at a press conference hosted by the State Council Information Office, Chen said that a robust, modernized flood management framework is essential to protect against increasingly frequent and severe disasters.
"We are enhancing the national flood disaster defense system to better respond to extreme rainfall, severe flooding, and major emergencies. At the same time, we are enhancing management of flood storage areas and reservoir capacity to ensure space for water diversion and retention," said Chen.
The Ministry of Water Resources is intensifying rainfall and water monitoring, issuing early warnings more rapidly, and coordinating flood control infrastructure at the basin level to ensure precise and unified responses, he said.
Moreover, the ministry has also planned to further strengthen the flood defense network -- comprising reservoirs, riverways, levees, and flood storage zones -- while enhancing forecasting accuracy and extending lead times for alerts.
China steps up flood response as 329 rivers nationwide exceed warning levels
The U.S. military strike against Venezuela and capture of its president, Nicolas Maduro, has shocked the international community, triggering a steady stream of condemnation and serious concerns worldwide.
Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Spain issued a joint statement on Sunday, expressing serious concern about and firm opposition to the U.S. unilateral military operations in Venezuela.
The U.S. actions contravene fundamental principles of international law, particularly the prohibition on the use or threat of force, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, as enshrined in the UN Charter, constituting an extremely dangerous precedent against peace and regional security, according to the statement.
In expressing profound concern and firm rejection, the six countries stressed in the statement that the situation in Venezuela must be resolved exclusively by peaceful means, and through dialogue, negotiation and respect for the will of the Venezuelan people in all its expressions, without external interference and in accordance with international law.
Only an inclusive political process, led by Venezuelans, can lead to a democratic, sustainable solution that respects human dignity, according to the statement.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the U.S. raid in Venezuela as a violation of international law, adding that the Spanish government always advocates and defends international law and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Addressing a meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez demanded the unconditional and immediate release of Maduro and his wife.
Noting that Latin America and the Caribbean are a zone of peace, he expressed his firm opposition to the use of force, which is an unshakable principle.
Any aggression against Venezuela shall be regarded as an attack against all CELAC member states, and nations must collectively oppose it, he stressed.
The South African government denounced the U.S. attack on Venezuela as a violation of international law, according to a statement released on Sunday.
History has repeatedly demonstrated that military invasions against sovereign states yield only instability and deepening crisis, the statement said.
South Africa calls on the UN Security Council to urgently convene a session to address this situation, according to the statement.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said what happened in Venezuela demonstrates that international law and the UN Charter are losing their practical effectiveness.
U.S. military action against Venezuela marks a dangerous precedent, as similar actions could be taken against any other nations, he said.
In addition, the foreign ministries of Namibia, Singapore, Oman and Pakistan also issued statements on the same day, expressing grave concern over U.S. interference in Venezuela's internal affairs.
They emphasized the need to uphold international law and the principles of the UN Charter while respecting Venezuela's sovereignty.
They also called on all parties to exercise restraint and resolve the crisis through peaceful dialogue.
U.S. move against Venezuela sparks condemnation, concerns worldwide
