President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out rescue efforts to save lives and minimize casualties following a 6.8-magnitude devastating earthquake that struck a county in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region Tuesday morning.
In an instruction issued shortly after the powerful earthquake, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, ordered utmost efforts to treat the injured.
He also urged efforts to prevent possible secondary disasters, properly resettle the affected residents, and handle the aftermath work effectively.
It is essential to strengthen earthquake monitoring and early warning, promptly allocate emergency rescue supplies, expedite the repair of damaged infrastructure, ensure that the basic needs of residents are met, and guarantee a safe and warm winter for all, Xi said.
Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, urged swift verification of the extent of the disaster and casualties.
He called for efforts to fully mobilize rescue and relief efforts, strengthen seismic monitoring, prevent possible secondary disasters and minimize casualties.
Noting the high-altitude and frigid winter conditions in the earthquake-stricken region, Li called for every possible effort to ensure basic living conditions and a warm winter for the affected residents. Responding to Xi's instructions and Li's directives, Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, has led officials from competent departments to the scene to guide follow-up rescue work.
The Office of the State Council Earthquake Relief Headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Management also initiated level-III emergency responses for earthquakes on Tuesday.
The 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted Dingri County in the city of Xigaze in Xizang Autonomous Region at 09:05 on Tuesday (Beijing Time), according to regional disaster relief headquarters.
The epicenter was monitored at 28.5 degrees north latitude and 87.45 degrees east longitude. The quake struck at a depth of 10 km, according to a report issued by the China Earthquake Networks Center.
The quake had killed 53 people and injured 62 others, as of 12:30 on Tuesday.
Xi orders all-out rescue efforts following heavy casualties in 6.8-magnitude Xizang quake
Xi orders all-out rescue efforts following heavy casualties in 6.8-magnitude Xizang quake
Xi orders all-out rescue efforts following heavy casualties in 6.8-magnitude Xizang quake
Multiple departments, in close collaboration, have tested the supporting facilities and the services in a test skiing competition for the upcoming 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, to ensure the smooth holding of the event.
The cross-country skiing test competition was held in the past two days at the Yabuli Ski Resort in Harbin.
Close to the track for the test competition, meteorological support staff of the event held portable six-element automatic weather instruments to monitor the meteorological indicators of the competition venue in real time.
"This equipment can display the temperature, wind direction, wind speed, air pressure and other related factors in the stadium in real time. Combining these data with the meteorological factors collected real-time by the fixed meteorological station built by our meteorological department in the early stage, we can report to the forecast department of our meteorological system to make a more accurate assessment of the meteorological service guarantee for the on-site competition," said Wang Peng, a meteorological support staff member.
Snow sports such as skiing and cross-country skiing are outdoor competitions and are significantly affected by weather factors. For the Asian Winter Games, Harbin has built multiple weather radars, and 117 sets of meteorological observation equipment including 37 sets in the Yabuli competition area. The organizers also introduced advanced technology and algorithms to build a "minute-level, 100-meter-level" grid monitoring and forecasting system to minimize the impact of weather factors.
During the test, the on-site medical team also paid close attention to the situation on the field and made full preparations for any conditions.
"As we know, medical risks are more likely to occur on ice and snow sports, especially on snow. So in terms of medical support, we are stepping up our efforts in this area. We have deployed our corresponding medical officers and medical managers on each racing track, as well as ski doctors and patrol members who will work together to ensure the safe running of this Asian Winter Games," said Wang Guangzhi, member of the event's medical team and vice president of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University.
"At present, the Asian Winter Games Medical and Health Security Center has selected 31 designated hospitals to open green channels and reserve 1,654 beds for 14 categories of treatment, including orthopedics, thoracic surgery, and neurology. We prepared to build 98 medical clinics and stations of various types, and a total of 588 medical personnel have been deployed to various venues. We have conducted more than 70 comprehensive drills in collaboration with other departments, covering injury treatment, transportation of the injured, public health incident handling, and helicopter coordinated rescue," said Luan Feng, commander of the medical and health command center of the 9th Asian Winter Games.
The 9th Asian Winter Games will be held from Feb 7 to 14 in Harbin, reputed as the "Ice City" of China for its extra-low temperatures in winter and the annual tradition of displaying extravagant ice sculptures.
Over the course of the 12 competition days, athletes from various Asian countries and regions will compete in six major events, 11 sub-events, and 64 disciplines.
Supportive facilities, teams tested to ensure smooth Asian Winter Games
Supportive facilities, teams tested to ensure smooth Asian Winter Games
