Chinese vice-premier stresses flood control, disaster prevention

CHANGCHUN -- Chinese Vice-Premier Liu Guozhong called for stronger flood control and disaster prevention efforts during an inspection tour to Northeast China's Jilin province from Tuesday to Thursday.

In the cities of Changchun and Songyuan, Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspected rivers, reservoirs, embankments and hydrological monitoring stations, and visited farmland to learn about autumn grain production, black soil conservation, high-standard farmland and irrigation infrastructure.

Additionally, he chaired a meeting on flood control and disaster prevention for agriculture in the provincial-level regions of northeast China.

China is currently in a critical period of flood control, Liu said, while urging stronger meteorological and hydrological monitoring and improved forecasting and early warning capabilities. Authorities should promptly organize evacuations when necessary, he added.

Liu also called for strengthened inspections and defenses at reservoirs, dams, rivers and embankments, as well as greater efforts to prevent flooding in small and medium-sized rivers and urban areas, and to identify risks resulting from mountain torrents.

With the country entering a crucial period for determining autumn grain output, efforts to prevent and mitigate disasters and promote grain production should be maintained throughout the entire production process, Liu noted.