MANDALAY, Myanmar, April 5 (Xinhua) -- The China International Search and Rescue Team continued to conduct medical outreach on Saturday in the urban area of Mandalay region, Myanmar.Through disease screening, consultations, medication guidance, and medicine distribution, the team provided "zero-distance" medical services to the 7.9-magnitude earthquake-affected residents.
At a relief camp near the University of Medicine in Mandalay, the team's medical personnel utilized self-developed mobile diagnostic equipment such as handheld ultrasound devices, portable X-ray machines, and bedside ECG monitors to conduct free examinations for over 250 local residents. Essential medications, including anti-infectives, analgesics, and antihypertensives, were distributed on-site based on diagnoses.
Near Mandalay Palace, the medical personnel team tailored solutions for prevalent local diseases, particularly respiratory, digestive, and immune system disorders exacerbated by the high temperatures in the earthquake-affected areas, providing medication guidance and conducting health education on respiratory care and chronic disease management to enhance public health awareness and self-care capabilities.
The team comprises over 10 experts from the China International Search and Rescue Team, spanning 14 specialties, including internal medicine, surgery, and pediatrics.
Since deploying to Myanmar, they have supported search-and-rescue operations and structural assessments while disinfecting over 120,000 square meters of rescue and operational zones.
Collaborating with other Chinese rescue teams, including China Search and Rescue Team, a rescue team from China's Hong Kong and Shenzhen Public Welfare Rescue Team, they have provided round-the-clock medical support, conducting over 500 medical consultations.
The China International Search and Rescue Team will continue to conduct medical outreach across Mandalay's relief camps in batches, prioritizing treatment for acute and chronic conditions such as respiratory, hepatobiliary, cardiovascular, and endocrine disorders.
Additionally, they plan to donate urgently needed medical supplies and equipment to local facilities.
Source: XINHUA
2025-04-08
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The 5th United Nations Ocean Forum was recently held in Geneva, exploring the intersection of ocean economies, trade policy, climate change, and sustainable development. The forum called for international cooperation to advance the sustainable development of the global ocean economy.
Sustainable ocean economy is a critical factor for humanity’s well-being. The forum highlighted that Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) of the United Nations emphasizes the protection and sustainable use of ocean resources. However, the international community still lacks a unified definition of a sustainable ocean economy. According to UNCTAD, the sustainable ocean economy refers to “all industries that ensure the sustainable utilization and conservation of marine and coastal resources while securing long-term human benefits.” The global ocean economy is valued between $3 trillion and $6 trillion, directly providing at least 150 million jobs across industries such as fishing, aquaculture, shipping, marine tourism, offshore wind energy, and marine biotechnology. If these industries develop sustainably according to UNCTAD’s definition, they will be key components of global economic sustainability and directly impact human well-being.
In terms of promoting economic growth, the ocean trade market is vast, with South-South trade on the rise. In 2023, the total global trade in ocean-related goods and services reached $2.2 trillion, with marine goods exports totaling $900 billion and marine services exports reaching $1.3 trillion. Developing countries are playing an increasingly significant role in ocean trade, with South-South trade accounting for 41% of global exports in marine fisheries and aquaculture products in 2023. Regarding enhancing environmental sustainability, industries such as international shipping and marine tourism are implementing measures to reduce carbon emissions through new energy-powered vessels and port carbon reduction programs. It is projected that by 2050, global maritime carbon emissions could achieve net zero. The ocean industry is gradually transitioning toward sustainability, including the promotion of biodegradable fishing nets and seaweed-based plastic alternatives, which help reduce plastic pollution and minimize damage to marine ecosystems. Stricter fishery resource management policies are also being increasingly adopted worldwide. By reducing overfishing and illegal fishing, these policies ensure the long-term stability of fishery resources. In terms of achieving social equity and development, trade serves as a key driver of economic growth for small island developing states (SIDS). Additionally, 90% of global fisheries employment comes from small-scale fishers. The development of sustainable ocean trade can improve their livelihoods and promote fair income distribution. Furthermore, trade facilitates technological cooperation and capacity-building in developing countries, particularly in areas such as marine renewable energy and smart fishery management, contributing to a more equitable global ocean trade system.
The forum emphasized that the development of the ocean economy is deeply intertwined with climate issues. On the one hand, the growth of the ocean economy poses significant threats to marine ecosystems. According to statistics, the ocean economy accounts for at least 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, the ocean economy is highly vulnerable to global climate change. Rising sea levels lead to coastal erosion and damage to infrastructure. Extreme weather events impact the livelihoods of coastal communities and increase economic losses. Changes in fishery resources present unprecedented challenges to the global fishing industry.
The green development of the ocean economy can significantly contribute to mitigating climate change. In terms of energy supply, the ocean is rich in renewable energy resources. Offshore wind energy has huge development potential, which can help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions. Additionally, tidal and wave energy can provide a stable supply of renewable energy. Furthermore, marine ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrass beds, and salt marshes play a vital role in carbon absorption and storage, helping to alleviate the impact of climate change. Regarding emission reduction, the development of green shipping, optimization of shipping routes, and port decarbonization can facilitate a low-carbon transition in the maritime and logistics sectors. Reducing carbon emissions in fisheries, promoting sustainable aquaculture, and enhancing marine biological carbon sequestration can support sustainable fisheries development while reducing emissions.
In terms of environmental restoration, efforts to expand marine protected areas, curb overfishing and ecological degradation, reduce plastic pollution, and promote marine waste cleanup and recycling can enhance the resilience of marine ecosystems. Strengthening coastal communities’ adaptation to climate change will further support the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems.
The ocean is a shared resource for all humankind, and this forum emphasized the critical role of international cooperation in advancing sustainable ocean development.
The first is enhancing Global Ocean Governance and Policy Coordination. The international community must strengthen legal and policy frameworks to ensure global cooperation and coordination in tackling marine pollution, fisheries resource management, and climate change adaptation.
The second is Supporting a Sustainable Ocean Economy Through International Financial Cooperation. The sustainable development of the ocean economy requires strong financial support. A combination of financial tools, including official development assistance (ODA), philanthropic financing, blended finance, and debt-for-nature swaps, can be used to support sustainable ocean projects in developing countries and promote low-carbon ocean industries.
The third is Promoting South-South Cooperation in Fisheries and Aquaculture Trade. South-South cooperation holds great potential in the ocean economy, but developing countries still face significant trade barriers. Strengthening South-South collaboration can reduce trade barriers, improve market access for sustainable marine products, facilitate global fisheries trade, simplify import-export procedures, and enhance supply chain efficiency. Additionally, technical cooperation can help developing countries enhance aquaculture capacity and improve food safety standards.
The fourth is Strengthening Climate Change Adaptation Through Collaboration. Climate change is posing increasing risks to the ocean economy, and global efforts are needed to address challenges such as rising sea levels that threaten infrastructure in small island developing states (SIDS), extreme weather events that increase economic losses in coastal regions and disrupt port operations and maritime trade, and global warming which causes fish migration, and affects the distribution of fishery resources.
Source: Economic Daily
2025-04-03
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Mangroves are nature's first line of coastal defense. Indonesia and China are joining forces to restore coastal ecosystems, transforming degraded shores into thriving habitats. Meet the individuals working to protect biodiversity in the South China Sea in "Catching A Wave 2."
Source: CGTN
2025-03-31
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There are opportunities and challenges for ASEAN-China relations against the backdrop of the current international and regional situation. The friendship between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries and the remarkable progress made over the past more than 30 years contributed to the peace, prosperity and sustainable development of the region. While the future of their bilateral relations remains bright, ASEAN-China relations still face certain challenges in the fast-changing global landscape.
First, the international power dynamics are undergoing profound changes. While the current international order faces significant challenges in addressing current global issues, emerging economies are becoming more prominent in global power dynamics. The anti-globalization trend is still on the rise, unilateralism is increasing, geopolitical confrontations are prolonged, and global issues are intensifying.
Second, the regional economy is facing growing risks. This is due to the rising trade tensions, further moves toward protectionism and carbon pricing on imports. The implementation of mercantilist and domestic-orientated policies by the Donald Trump administration, especially the tariff hikes, has posed challenges to the trade-dependent regional architecture of Southeast Asia.
Third, regional development is facing the implications of extraterritorial factors. The ongoing effort initiated by certain countries for "decoupling" and "de-risking" from China is putting more pressure on many ASEAN member states to take sides. The risk of global fragmentation in many areas could bring severe ramifications for the regional development.
Nevertheless, China and ASEAN can play a positive role in maintaining regional and world peace and development with concerted efforts. The ASEAN-China relationship has gone far beyond the bilateral sphere and has assumed great significance for Asia and the world at large. We can respond to global uncertainty with regional certainty of solidarity. We can respond to the international economic slowdown with regional economic prosperity. And we can respond to a disordered world with a just and equitable international order.
Next year marks the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. There is an old saying in Southeast Asia that the lotus flowers grow taller as the water rises. In this era of increasing uncertainties and instabilities in the global landscape, it is even more important to maintain the momentum of sound and sustainable development of ASEAN-China relations.
Over the past 30 years, ASEAN and China have helped each other to weather two financial crises, the SARS pandemic and the Indian Ocean tsunami, and confronted the COVID-19 pandemic by coming to each other's aid, demonstrating the spirit of fraternity and sense of community with a shared future. Earlier this month, the Sultan of Brunei and prime minister of Thailand paid visits to China. Brunei became the eighth ASEAN country which has reached consensus on building a community with a shared future with China, while Thailand and China have agreed to further advance their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and build a China-Thailand community with a shared future for enhanced stability, prosperity and sustainability.
The two sides are taking new and solid steps toward building a closer ASEAN-China community with a shared future. As important members of the Global South, China and the ASEAN member states share broad common interests and similar positions in international affairs. They share the desire for a peaceful international environment to promote people-centered sustainable development, proactively strengthening the synergy of their development strategies and jointly uphold multilateralism and open regionalism. The two sides should continue to steadfastly support an ASEAN-centered, open and inclusive regional architecture, pursue a path of regional security governance with broad consultation and joint contribution for common benefit, and enhance vigilance and firm preemption against actions that undermine regional stability and increase the risk of conflict, so as to protect their fundamental shared interest in peace and stability, and make Asia an anchor of world peace.
With one-fourth of the world's population and accounting for more than 20 percent of the global GDP, ASEAN and China share common development goals. Nowadays, ASEAN is working on the ASEAN Community's Post-2025 Vision toward a people-centered and more sustainable ASEAN community, while China has embarked on a new journey to realize modernization with the Chinese characteristics. In addition to industrial complementarity, China and ASEAN share the common pursuit of industrial upgrading, digital transformation and green development.
ASEAN-China economic and trade cooperation has entered a new phase of high-standard and high-quality connectivity with the substantial conclusion of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 and the adoption of the "ASEAN Plus Three Leaders' Statement on Strengthening the Connectivity of Regional Supply Chains" last year. Bilateral cooperation in emerging areas and frontier industries, such as digital, intelligent and green technologies, will definitely be conducive to nurturing new economic growth points and will inject fresh vitality into the regional and global economy. According to a report of Boston Consulting Group, ASEAN's trade with China is expected to grow 5.6 percent annually to hit $558 billion in 2033. China's high-quality development through high-standard opening up will offer vast opportunities for the modernization of regional countries.
The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Bandung Spirit have laid a solid foundation for ASEAN countries and China to treat each other as equals, deepen mutual trust, and safeguard regional and global peace, stability and development. Recognizing that the ASEAN countries and China have unique political, social, religious and cultural characteristics, the two sides have always respected each other's development paths, accommodate each other's concerns and overcome differences and difficulties as a united team. China has always supported ASEAN's centrality and endorsed the advancement of regional cooperation in the "ASEAN Way".
In conclusion, ASEAN and China should continue to uphold true multilateralism and open regionalism, make joint efforts to promote an equal and orderly multipolar world, and build a new type of international relations and a path of security that chooses dialogue over confrontation, partnerships over alliances, and win-win cooperation over zero-sum games, so as to generate more positive energy for their friendship and solidarity in an increasingly fragmented world.
Source: China Daily
2025-03-28
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An aerial drone photo shows a panoramic view of an abalone breeding area in Lianjiang County, southeast China's Fujian Province, March 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)
FUZHOU, March 13 (Xinhua) -- As the weather warms up, fishermen in Lianjiang start abalone farming and sowing.
An aerial drone photo shows a view of an abalone breeding area in Lianjiang County, southeast China's Fujian Province, March 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)
A woman sorts out abalones at a wharf in Lianjiang County, southeast China's Fujian Province, March 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)
An aerial drone photo taken on March 12, 2025 shows fishermen throwing abalone fry into the sea in Lianjiang County, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)
An aerial drone photo shows a view of an abalone breeding area in Lianjiang County, southeast China's Fujian Province, March 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)
Fishermen feed abalones in Lianjiang County, southeast China's Fujian Province, March 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)
Source: XINHUA
2025-03-26
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