A senior Nepali meteorologist has hailed China's Fengyun weather satellites for their high-resolution, real-time data that helped guide the response to the devastating mudslide that hit the China-Nepal border.
The mudslide and flash floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche on the Nepalese side on Aug 26, tore through Nepal's Bhote Koshi river in a matter of minutes. The disaster has so far killed at least 1,374 people in Nepal, with thousands more still missing, according to local authorities.
Bibhuti Pokharel, a senior divisional meteorologist at the Nepal Meteorological Department, explained how data supplied by Chinese satellites kept rescue personnel on the ground updated on developing cloud formations, rainfall, flash floods, landslides, and destructive winds in the aftermath last month's disaster.
Pokharel said the satellites give the Nepali side the detail it needs to follow individual weather systems as they form.
"That's very helpful because we are getting from Fengyun satellites, we are getting information about what's actually happening, meteorological information about clouds, precipitation, wind and the system itself. And apart from that, they also have very fine resolution -- one-kilometer resolution -- which is very helpful for us," she said.
Within hours of the disaster, Chinese meteorological authorities activated a cross-border monitoring mechanism that coordinated the response on both sides of the border and issued early warnings for further geological hazards.
Pokharel said the effective disaster response had made the case for closer coordination between the two sides.
"After this incident happened, there seems very much [to be a] necessity for this kind of coordination. It started from just small measures, but I think it worked very nicely," said the meteorologist.
She added that greater trans-boundary data-sharing is the best way to strengthen early-warning systems particularly as global warming has exacerbated the impact of extreme weather events on vulnerable regions like Nepal.
Pokharel said Nepal has to stand ready and prepared to deal with more such disasters.
"We have seen that we are in a vulnerable situation which may be beyond our imagination. And this may be one of the cases, but there may be another also, so we have to move forward," she said.
Nepali meteorologist hails Chinese satellite data in border mudslide rescue
The fourth meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) opened on Saturday in Shenzhen City in south China's Guangdong Province, drawing members who underscored China's expanding leadership in driving trade integration, green energy and multilateral cooperation across the Asia-Pacific.
The three-day meeting has gathered more than 60 representatives from 21 APEC economies, along with nearly 200 experts and accompanying staff, according to the organizer, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).
As global trade faces mounting economic headwinds and shifts toward sustainability, international business leaders pointed to China's technological advancements as a crucial catalyst for regional development.
Kasemsit Pathomsak, a Thai representative on ABAC, APEC's private-sector advisory body, highlighted China's contributions to green technology.
"China has played a very important role all along, especially when it comes to the renewable and green initiatives, with solar production, green technology, EVs. China has been very forefront in innovating and bringing this technology to the masses. I think it's very important to try help the world to try and become more green and affordable, to try transition to this green technology," said Pathomsak.
Members also highlighted APEC's vital platform for bilateral and multilateral engagement, fostering commercial bridges across diverse markets.
"As one of the economies that's in APEC, China, as we all acknowledge, is a very important trade partner in this region in both bilateral and multilateral opportunities. For Canada, we see that it is very important for us to establish a proper conduit of opportunities where we can grow together and understand the risks where we have to be clear about where we can and cannot go together. So, we think that APEC is an excellent opportunity where the public sector and the private sector, which I represent, would be able to engage in a deeper conversation on this," said Joseph Fung, an ABAC member from Canada.
Meanwhile, Francisco Suarez Hernandez, an ABAC member from Mexico, praised China's logistical and organizational leadership in hosting the meeting.
"It's really important and China hosting this event is the best example of leading. I think creating a bridge between Mexico, next year Vietnam, and this year China is going to be a great example. We actually hosted ABAC II (Second meeting of APEC Business Advisory Council) this year in Mexico. So, I know the effort," he said.
Founded in November 1995, ABAC is the only non-governmental body with an official advisory role in the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, engaging in a formal dialogue and submitting annual policy recommendation reports to APEC leaders.
After the ABAC meeting, Shenzhen will host the 2026 APEC CEO Summit on Nov 17 to 18, drawing the region's top business and government leaders to chart a course for Asia-Pacific prosperity.
This is the third time China has hosted APEC meetings, and the first in 12 years.
Working with other member economies under the theme of "Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together," China has focused on three priorities, namely openness, innovation and cooperation, and has hosted more than 300 meetings and events across the country during the year.
ABAC members laud China's role in Asia-Pacific economic integration
