A group of displaced villagers in Maru Township of Baqen County, the epicenter of the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that stuck southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region last Thursday, moved from tents to prefabricated houses on Monday.
The quake hit Xizang last Thursday, killing 16 people and injuring 76 others. In the wake of the disaster, more than 12,000 residents were evacuated, and 339 homes and 20 livestock sheds were damaged or destroyed, according to local authorities.
Baqen perches at an altitude of nearly 4,800 meters, so tiding over the cold winter has been a top concern for displaced residents, and construction teams and power technicians have worked around the clock to build sturdier, warmer temporary homes.
The first batch of 60 prefabricated houses was completed on Sunday. In addition to beds, quilts and food, the prefabricated houses are also equipped with stoves to help residents keep warm.
"With this stove, the room has become very warm, making it more comfortable for children and the elderly," said Tsering Dorji, a displaced villager.
All the units have also been connected to electricity and the internet.
Rescue workers have also taken up the responsibility of preparing meals for the displaced villagers, joined by volunteers from around the country.
Displaced residents in quake-hit Xizang move into prefab houses
The Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference 2026 was held in Hong Kong on Monday, bringing together officials, experts and industry leaders to discuss fostering sustainable development and advancing green transformation of the Global South.
The conference, themed "Partnering with the Global South on Green Transition, Advancing Sustainable Development Worldwide," aims to build an international exchange and dialogue platform for deepening South-South cooperation and promoting North-South dialogue, and to advance joint building of a green Silk Road.
John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Huang Runqiu, Chinese Minister of Ecology and Environment, attended the event and delivered speeches respectively.
Lee said that Hong Kong, as a leading green and sustainable finance center, can connect green projects with international capital and combine green finance with financial innovation, and is a reliable partner in building a greener, more prosperous and more sustainable future, expressing the Special Administrative Region's readiness to work with all parties.
In his address, Huang called for stronger alignment of green strategies, deeper practical cooperation, greater green innovation, shared transition benefits, expanded green financing and a more vibrant market.
He stressed that China will firmly support and implement the U.N. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, remain committed to green and low-carbon development, and share green experience and achievements with other developing countries through the BRI International Green Development Coalition and the South-South cooperation on climate change, always standing with the Global South in its green transition.
Nearly 300 people from more than 20 countries attended the conference.
Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference 2026 held in Hong Kong
