Rescue teams rise to the challenge

"Foreign civil rescue teams have been operating for nearly 100 years, and those from China only appeared in recent years. Therefore, when a disaster-hit country applies for international rescue assistance, teams from developed countries such as the United States and Japan will be considered first," Zhang said.

"Becoming a member of INSARAG will not only enhance our visibility, but will also be recognition of our ability."

As for the future, Wang said that on one hand the Peaceland Foundation aims to promote the development and regulation of the rescue industry.

"We plan to hold industry meetings and training programs to attract civilian rescue teams from home and abroad to communicate and learn from each other," Wang said. "At the same time, we hope to train a large number of talented people who can carry out international rescue work."

On the other hand, the foundation wants to be an international nongovernmental organization that focuses more on humanitarian assistance.

"We are doing anti-poaching work in Africa. We are clearing mines and building chicken farms in Cambodia. We have a program to help improve the employment prospects of female Syrian refugees in Lebanon. And now we are also contacting Sri Lanka to discuss the issue of marine protection," he said.

When they started operations overseas, Wang said local people were always wondering why Chinese were helping. "But then they all asked why we came so late," he added.

"We take part in these operations because we really care about these issues and believe they are our responsibility."