A sudden downpour triggered flash floods on Friday in Wuqia County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with local police launching overnight rescue operations for stranded people and animals.
Around 19:00 on Friday, several villages in the county experienced flood hazards due to overflowing river channels, trapping some residents and livestock. In addition, sections of National Highway 315 and County Road 415 in mountainous areas were blocked, stranding many vehicles and people.
Following the disaster, local police quickly activated emergency response plans. They waded through floodwaters to evacuate trapped residents and livestock, while coordinating with other emergency units to clear mud and debris and guided traffic through the affected areas.
By around 02:00 on Saturday, all rescue operations had been completed, with blocked roads reopened to traffic.
Flash floods prompt overnight rescue operations in China's Xinjiang
Germany is looking to strengthen cooperation with China as officials and business leaders from both sides met at a forum in Berlin on Thursday to discuss expanding trade and investment ties.
The forum, hosted by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry alongside a promotion event for the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE), focused on ways to keep the trading relationship relevant and to explore new areas of cooperation ahead of the next edition of expo scheduled in Shanghai in November.
"The [bilateral] trading relationship, first and foremost, is essential. And it has been for decades. And you know, our event today is all about also figuring out how we can keep it relevant and how we also can develop new areas of cooperation. This event is also all about exporting more to China again," said Thomas Konig, director China at the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK).
Germany and China have maintained strong trade ties for decades, with Germany remaining one of China's key economic partners in Europe.
Officials at the forum said expanding imports from Germany could create new opportunities for cooperation in sectors including aviation, automotive manufacturing, healthcare and industrial equipment.
Ling Ji, vice minister of commerce of China and deputy China international trade representative, said China is willing to increase imports of high-quality German products, technologies and services as part of efforts to promote more balanced bilateral trade.
China, home to the world's largest middle-income population and the world's second-largest consumer market, launched its "Export to China" initiative last year to help foreign companies access the Chinese market, Ling said.
The discussions come at a time of global economic uncertainty, trade tensions and concerns over trade imbalances.
German officials stressed that cooperation must continue, but future growth depends on balance.
"In the end, there cannot be winners on only one side. We must make sure there are winners on all sides," said Thomas Steffen, state secretary with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.
He stressed the need to make the cake bigger for everyone.
Industry groups pointed to opportunities in medical technology, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and the green transition.
"Just look into the future, med-tech. You have the waste management, you have the circular economy, you have AI, you have quantum technology, you have smart manufacturing. German innovators are ready to do their part and to contribute," said Konig.
According to the organizers, the CIIE will once again bring together thousands of companies from around the world, all hoping to turn today's conversations into tomorrow's contracts.
Germany expects stronger trade ties with China at Berlin forum
