China boosts efforts against geological disasters

China's Ministry of Natural Resources has pledged to consistently investigate areas at risk of geological disasters and enhance its monitoring, early warning, and emergency management capabilities to navigate the challenging and complex landscape of geological disaster prevention.

The overall climate conditions in 2025 are expected to deviate from the norm, with extreme weather events occurring more frequently and with greater intensity, predicted the natural resource ministry at a national video conference on geological disaster prevention on Friday.

"Special attention should be paid to widespread, compound and cascading disaster risks in key areas. And efforts should be taken to guard against potential widespread landslides and mudslides triggered by heavy rainfalls in regions previously affected by earthquakes and forest fires," said Xu Dachun, vice minister of Natural Resources and director of the China Geological Survey.

"Additionally, we must be vigilant about large-scale collapses, landslides, and mudslides triggered by long-term deformation coupled with sudden environmental changes," he added.

At the conference, the ministry outlined key tasks for this year's geological disaster prevention efforts.

During the flood season, inspections should be carried out before, during, and after the rain, and technical professionals are to be deployed to counties and towns to provide enhanced technical guidance in key risky areas during critical periods, the ministry mandates.

"Moreover, disaster prevention and mitigation command centers should be established," said Guan Zhiou, minister of Natural Resources.

"And the capability of localities in risk assessment, early warning, and decision-making under normal conditions, as well as capabilities in command and dispatch, emergency response, and information reporting when geological disasters hit should be continuously strengthened," he added.

Guan also highlighted the need to strengthen scientific research, review and analyze past disaster events to deepen the understanding of disaster patterns, mechanisms, and causes. "Key areas and crucial periods for geological disaster prevention should be identified, and strategies tailored to the specific conditions of each province and region should be developed," Guan added.

It is also important to improve the prevention and management of disaster risks and potential hazards associated with engineering construction and major infrastructure projects, Guan said.