China to further cooperate with ASEAN in disaster management: FM

China is willing to enhance disaster management cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to further improve the capacity of preventing disasters and reducing damages in the region, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Thursday.

Spokesperson Hua Chunying made the remarks at a news briefing when asked for comments on the current disaster cooperation situation between China and ASEAN after a deadly tsunami hit Indonesia and caused severe casualties.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying. [Photo: fmprc.gov.cn]

"China and ASEAN are discussing the signing of a memorandum of understanding in disaster management cooperation," said Hua, adding there were annual talks between China and the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance (AHA) center while an earthquake and tsunami monitoring and warning system was under discussion.

Under the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) framework, China and ASEAN have jointly held a series of seminars in coping with maritime disasters, earthquake, climate changes and coastal disasters in the region, Hua said.

China stands ready to share disaster relief experience, concepts, and technologies with countries in the region to further improve anti-disaster capacity.