ASEAN, China to deepen ties for disaster governance

China and ASEAN countries are seeking to deepen cooperation in earthquake monitoring, AI-powered disaster risk assessment and early warning. Officials and experts from the two sides gathered in Nanning on Wednesday for a regional conference on disaster prevention and emergency management.

More than 240 representatives from China and eight Association of Southeast Asian Nations members, including government officials, researchers and diplomatic representatives, attended the opening of the 2026 China (Guangxi)-ASEAN Conference on Emergency Management (Earthquake Prevention and Disaster Reduction) Cooperation and Development in Nanning, capital of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

The conference aims to promote cross-border cooperation in disaster governance and strengthen regional mechanisms for joint risk prevention and emergency response.

Wang Kun, secretary of the Communist Party of China leadership group and administrator of the China Earthquake Administration, said China has prioritized protecting people's lives by developing the world's largest earthquake early-warning network, improving the resilience of cities and infrastructure, applying AI to seismic data systems and raising public awareness of disaster preparedness.

Wang cited China's response to the devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar in March 2025 as an example of regional cooperation. A 37-member rescue and medical team from China's Yunnan province became the first international rescue team to arrive in Myanmar, reaching the country within 18 hours of the earthquake. A separate 118-member China International Search and Rescue Team was subsequently dispatched to support relief operations.

China is ready to deepen cooperation with ASEAN countries in seismic monitoring and early warning, disaster risk reduction, technological innovation and personnel training, while strengthening regional coordination in emergency response, Wang said.

Cao Zhiqiang, vice-chairman of Guangxi, said the region would leverage its geographical advantage as a gateway to ASEAN to deepen cooperation in disaster prevention and reduction and support Belt and Road projects.

Kim Virak, vice-president and secretary-general of Cambodia's National Committee for Disaster Management, said his country faces growing challenges in disaster management and hopes to expand technological cooperation with China, particularly in the application of artificial intelligence.

Cambodia plans to apply Chinese algorithms, remote sensing and big data technologies to improve real-time flood forecasting, multi-hazard risk assessments and automated early-warning systems, particularly in vulnerable river basins and developing urban areas.

"No single country or city can address disasters and risks alone. By working together, we strengthen our ability to anticipate hazards, protect lives and achieve more effective post-disaster recovery," Kim said.

Sun Li, deputy director and researcher at the China Earthquake Networks Center, said China has assisted Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia in developing seismic monitoring stations and risk assessment systems.

Cross-border data sharing and joint early-warning systems could further strengthen regional disaster prevention and mitigation efforts, she said.

The three-day conference, which runs through Friday, also features an exhibition of disaster prevention and emergency response technologies and equipment, a roundtable meeting of China-ASEAN institutions working on earthquake prevention and disaster reduction, technical exchanges and a China-Cambodia exchange visit focusing on resilient urban development.

zhangli@chinadaily.com.cn