Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for all-out efforts to ensure the safety of people's lives and property in the fight against floods and geological disasters caused by heavy rains currently affecting parts of China.
Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, issued important instructions on flood control and disaster relief work.
All search and rescue operations for missing and trapped persons must be carried out, Xi said, stressing that residents in flood-prone areas must be evacuated and relocated immediately to minimize casualties.
He also called on the authorities to plan for worst and extreme scenarios, clarify responsibilities, carefully implement flood protection measures, carefully monitor and reinforce vulnerable and critical areas, and deploy rescue workers and supplies based on scientific assessment.
"Emergency response must be initiated and implemented as soon as possible to fully protect the safety of people's lives and property," he said.
Recently, the eastern, northern and northeastern regions of China have been hit by continuous heavy rainfall, causing flooding and geological disasters and leading to major loss of life in Beijing, Hebei, Jilin and Shandong.
In his instruction, Premier Li Qiang called on national flood management authorities to help local governments strengthen their response.
Li, who is also a member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee, called for strengthening extreme weather monitoring, rigorous inspection and evaluation of river and reservoir dams, and improving identification of urban flood risks.
