More than 200 immigration police officers deployed by the entry-exit border inspection authorities in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region have joined rescue operations following a deadly 6.8-magnitude earthquake that hit the region on Tuesday morning.
The powerful quake, with its epicenter in Tsogo Township, jolted Dingri County in Xigaze City at 09:05 on Tuesday, claiming at least 126 lives and leaving 188 others injured as of 19:00, according to the authorities.
The immigration authorities activated their emergency contingency plan in the shortest possible time, deploying personnel from over 20 primary-level units with more than 300 rescue tools, including stretchers and medical supplies.
Within 10 minutes of the tremor, the Xigaze immigration detachment dispatched a 15-member emergency rescue team to the disaster zone.
After nearly seven hours of relentless efforts, the team had pulled 21 survivors from the rubble, relocated more than 600 affected residents, addressed 116 safety hazards, and distributed emergency relief supplies, including two tonnes of food and 100 tents.
Dingri County lies on the northern slope of the Himalayas, bordering Nepal to the south. With a population of over 60,000, the county is one of the most populous border counties in Xizang.
Immigration police join rescue efforts after deadly Xizang earthquake
China's sharp countermeasures against U.S. "reciprocal tariffs" demonstrate the country's zero tolerance towards actions that undermine the global multilateral trading system, according to an expert.
Amid widespread opposition, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order on the so-called "reciprocal tariffs", imposing a 10-percent "minimum baseline tariff" on all imported goods and higher rates on certain trading partners. The order took effect from Saturday.
For China, it faces a 34-percent tariff from the United States. That was on top of the existing tariff of 20 percent.
Following the U.S. decision to impose "reciprocal tariffs" on Chinese exports to the United States, China's Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said Friday that the move taken by the U.S. does not conform to international trade rules, seriously undermines China's legitimate rights and interests, and represents a typical act of unilateral bullying.
It also announced that China will impose additional 34-percent tariffs on all products imported from the United States starting from April 10.
Wang Yaojing, assistant professor of economics with Peking University, pointed out that China's countermeasures shows its clear stance in opposing unilateralism and protectionism.
"China's countermeasures clearly demonstrate zero tolerance against actions that seek to undermine the global multilateral trading ecosystem. These harmful moves have far-reaching consequences for the global economy. And China's countermeasures are both well-prepared and timely," Wang emphasized.
China’s countermeasures show zero tolerance towards US unilateralism, protectionism: expert
