China and the Pacific island countries have made significant progress in disaster prevention and mitigation cooperation through the training of disaster management personnel from the Pacific island countries and research on pre- and post-disaster relief at a center for disaster risk reduction cooperation in Jiangmen, south China's Guangdong Province. Launched in February 2023 in Jiangmen, the center offers Pacific island countries technologies and services for disaster monitoring and early warning, along with materials and support for emergency rescue and disaster relief. It stands as the first cooperation platform between China and the Pacific island countries focusing on disaster prevention and mitigation. "We have conducted training on disaster prevention and mitigation for the Pacific island countries, with about 40 officials from the disaster management departments of nine countries participating in the workshop," said Wang Chunyang, executive dean at the center. Nestled along a volcanic and seismic belt, the Pacific island countries often face typhoons, earthquakes, and tsunamis, enduring natural disasters that can last for extended periods, exceeding 100 days. Consequently, researchers at the center have devised pre- and post-disaster plans to tackle these challenges. "We use meteorological satellites and other related technologies to provide early warning before a disaster. And we focus on coordinating and managing supplies and logistics after a disaster," said Huang Hui, a researcher at the center. Through the ongoing cooperation at the center, China aims to partner with the Pacific island countries to address natural disasters, risks, and other challenges, thus safeguarding people's lives and property, and providing valuable insights for international disaster prevention and humanitarian efforts.
China, Pacific island countries join hands in disaster prevention cooperation
