The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's first Type 054B frigate, the Luohe, was officially commissioned on Wednesday. The 5,000-ton-class warship features advancements in stealth, combat command systems and integrated firepower control.
The first Type 054B frigate of the PLA Navy was handed over and commissioned at a naval port in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province on Wednesday morning, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
At the naval port, the Luohe hoisted full ceremonial flags, and officers and soldiers stood in formation with high spirits. At about 10 am, the commissioning and flag-giving ceremony began. Attendees sang the national anthem as the Five-Starred Red Flag was raised slowly. The honor guards escorted the August 1 military flag and the naval flag and marched to the rostrum. The flag-raiser of the Luohe hoisted the flags on the fore and aft decks of the ship. The ceremony ended with the military song of the PLA, according to the report.
With the hull number 545 and a displacement of about 5,000 tons, the Luohe is a new generation of frigate independently developed and built by China. It has made breakthroughs in vessel stealth technology, combat command systems and firepower integrated control, among other aspects, significantly enhancing its performances, said Xinhua.
The ship possesses strong comprehensive combat capabilities and diversified military mission capabilities, which are of great significance for improving the overall combat effectiveness of naval warship formations. It is an important piece of equipment for the transformation and development of the Chinese navy, according to Xinhua.
Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the new Type 054B frigate has undergone significant upgrades across its systems compared with its predecessor, the Type 054A.
The Type 054B is larger than the Type 054A, allowing for enhanced firepower and the ability to carry larger utility helicopters such as the Z-20, Song said.
Many of the most advanced technologies, including those applied on the Type 055 large destroyer, have likely been incorporated into the design of the Type 054B, Song believed.
Defender of nation
The Type 054B frigate was reportedly launched in 2023. In response to the reports, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson at China's Ministry of National Defense, said at a regular press conference in August 2023 that it is a normal arrangement addressing national security needs and the overall naval trend of the PLA Navy developing equipment including main combat vessels according to related plans.
The goal is to defend national sovereignty, security and development interests, and better safeguard world and regional peace and stability, Wu said, noting that China always follows a path of peaceful development, and unswervingly adheres to a national defense policy that is defensive in nature.
The Type 054B features extended endurance, enabling operations in both coastal and far seas environments. It is expected to take up the missions of the small Type 056 corvettes in coastal waters and join the Type 055 large destroyers in far seas missions, Song said.
The expert expected the Type 054B to be mass produced like the Type 054A.
Zhang Xuefeng, another Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the PLA Navy could build a large number of Type 054B frigates to address diverse maritime threats. He highlighted the frigate's balanced capabilities in anti-submarine, anti-ship and air defense missions, as well as its cost-effectiveness through the use of advanced technologies.
It is one of the most advanced frigates in the world, Zhang Xuefeng said.
Chinese naval expert Zhang Junshe noted that the Type 054B can also operate as part of aircraft carrier and amphibious assault groups, providing escort in air defense and anti-submarine roles.
The first Type 054B is commissioned in Qingdao, which is the homeport of the aircraft carrier Liaoning, Zhang Junshe said that this is conducive to the vessel's joint training with the Liaoning aircraft carrier group. Since the PLA Navy has an aircraft carrier homeport also in Sanya, South China's Hainan Province, it is likely that the Type 054B frigate could be deployed there in the future as well.
Zhang Junshe told the Global Times on Wednesday the commissioning of the Type 054B frigate demonstrates the PLA Navy's progress in equipment development and manufacturing, significantly enhancing China's national defense. "With advanced warships like the Type 054B, the PLA Navy will strengthen its comprehensive combat capabilities in far seas, better safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests," he said.
After the tweet "guys, isn't this just how the world is supposed to be?" garnered 7.8 million views on X, families of the story's protagonists, US netizen Brecken Neumann and Chinese netizen RongRong (pseudonym) are both no longer satisfied with online communications. On Wednesday, Brecken shared his booked flight tickets to China on RedNote, and told the Global Times that " RedNote and new friends have elevated his plans to visit China on his priority list."
Recent days have seen lots of American internet users flocking to RedNote as US TikTok users anxiously await the fate of TikTok prior to the US Supreme Court's ruling on January 19.
On January 14, a "Hello" on RedNote connected Rong's family from Shanghai with Brecken's family from the southern US state of Mississippi. Rong told the Global Times that after chatting with Brecken on RedNote, she soon discovered that they hit it off, and so they added each other on WeChat. At Rong's suggestion, Brecken's wife also registered for WeChat. Now the four of them have a WeChat group chat called "World Family."
The four of them are actively engaged in their group chat, sharing breakfast ideas for their babies, daily parenting experiences and work meals. They also compare the cost of living in their respective countries and exchange stories about their pets.
"We're around the same age, so we have a lot in common to talk about. It really feels like we're good friends," Rong told the Global Times.
"It feels amazing because it just shows how many of us are really here to enjoy this short life we have on this Earth together and with our families and kids," Brecken told the Global Times. It is great to form new friendships that no one ever thought were possible, Brecken said.
On Wednesday morning, Brecken shared a photo of his family's booked flight tickets to Shanghai, expressing his excitement by saying he will be seeing Rong and her family at the end of March. Rong also mentioned that both families love Disney, so they have already made plans to visit Shanghai Disney Resort together, while other activities are still being planned.
In sync with Brecken's excitement, Rong said she always knew that both families would meet one day.
"I didn't know what to expect before coming to RedNote, but everyone is warm and welcoming," said Brecken, adding that with all different kinds of countries and people coming together now, it certainly is a global village.
Rong said that it's not just their story, she feels happy that people from different countries are communicating with each other on RedNote. "The platform built by RedNote has broken down the invisible walls between countries, allowing for a more genuine and deeper understanding of each other," she noted.
"You and me, From one world, Forever we are one family," just like the lyrics say, the world should be like a family. "Because we are born for love and peace," Rong said.
The Philippines has recently released a comic book aimed at promoting anti-China sentiment, particularly targeting young students through a manipulative, brainwashing approach. A Chinese expert on Sunday criticized the launch, describing it as a counterproductive move that will not help resolve South China Sea disputes and will ultimately harm long-term bilateral relations.
The Philippine coast guard and national security officials on Friday launched the 40-page comic book called "The Stories of Teacher Jun." It contains colorful caricatures of a Filipino teacher and his young students discussing the complex territorial disputes in simple terms and highlights the Philippine position, AP reported.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara was also present at the Friday book release event, media reported.
In the book, Teacher Jun, a character which AFP said resembles Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, teaches his students about "maritime zones, international laws and the need to safeguard Philippine marine resources."
Global Times found in the digital version copy of the book that China is repeatedly mentioned throughout the book, with expressions such as "the China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia continually harass Filipino fishermen and our government vessels" and "China holds misconceptions about the West Philippine Sea" frequently appearing.
The AP reported that the intended recipients are young students and Filipinos in far-flung regions with limited access to news sources. Foreign readers who show an interest could be provided with copies of the book in their language, officials said.
Manila hopes to distribute the book in English and Filipino versions across the country to reinforce the "awakened patriotism of Filipinos," AFP reported.
The publication of the comic book may spark a new wave of public discourse, with the Philippines possibly further promoting its claims over the South China Sea to the international community, Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times.
This could intensify international attention and lead to diplomatic and public opinion tensions between China and the Philippines, but provides little help in resolve the problem in reality. In the long run, such approach can be seen as a form of cognitive warfare, particularly targeting the younger generation, through which the government is conveying a message to the international community while simultaneously engaging in brainwashing-style education for its own citizens, Chen said.
Both sides should be able to resolve their disputes through dialogue, but the Philippines is using the comic book to promote its claims over the South China Sea to the public with the intent of fostering a "China was to blame" mindset among the public, Chen said.
This could influence the future flexibility of the Philippine government's decision-making in the future, Chen said.
According to AP news, about 11,000 copies of the comic book have been distributed for free, and thousands more will be printed depending on financial donations, said Philippine coast guard Commodore Jay Tarriela, one of the proponents of the book project.
Apart from publishing a comic book targeting China in the South China Sea, Philippine authorities said they have arrested a Chinese citizen suspected of conducting an "espionage" operation in the Philippines. The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines stated on Sunday that the so-called espionage is a baseless speculation and accusation, adding that it has expressed concerns to the Philippine side and requested a consular visit to the Chinese citizen.
"We urge the Philippine side to base its judgment on facts, not to make presumption of guilt, and stop airing groundless speculation about the so-called Chinese spy case," the Chinese embassy spokesperson said.
Chen said the Philippines stepped up coordination between the coast guard, national defense, foreign affairs and educations authorities since the beginning of 2024 to enhance the propaganda among the public, especially young people, over the Philippines' territorial claims in the South China Sea and its so-called basis to support the claims.
Chen said a comic book like that fails to contribute constructively to resolving issues in the South China Sea and is detrimental to China-Philippines relations in the long run.
The recent trend of "grandfluencers," which refers to senior influencers with substantial social media followings, has garnered attention in China, with elderly creators have posted more than 100 million times on the Chinese lifestyle app Xiaohongshu, highlighting their growing presence and influence online.
According to Xiaohongshu, monthly active users above the age of 60 have increased two to three times, surpassing 30 million by 2024. Their presence has grown so significant that the platform also released a guide to aid seniors in navigating the platform more easily.
According to a report on China's internet development unveiled by the China Internet Network Information Center, as of June 2024, China's internet user base had reached 1.1 billion, an increase of 7.42 million compared with December 2023. Among the new internet users, nearly 20 percent were aged 60 or above.
According to the Feigua Data, a big data analytics platform for Douyin e-commerce and live streaming, the number of influencers aged 60 or above with over 4 million followers on Douyin has surpassed 20, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
Through the internet, the elderly maintain connections with the outside world and discover new joys in life. This has also become a way to handle the anxiety of retirement.
One influencer, a 70-year-old retired teacher Wang Yuzhen who goes by the handle "Wolianhegu," has written more than 300,000 words on Xiaohongshu. She said that she won a writing competition held by the platform recently and has received nearly 230,000 likes online.
Wang told the Global Times that she began posting at her niece's encouragement. Initially centered on memories of her mother, her posts gradually expanded to include stories about the people and events in her life.
For her, writing began as a way to pass the time and stay engaged, with no expectation of recognition. Yet, after a year of persistence, she found pride in having written more than 300,000 words.
Shao Mingyu, who is a second-year PhD student, told the Global Times that witnessing senior influencers' vibrant lifestyles has made him less fearful of aging.
He said he finds that learning about the lives and perspectives of older generations online has helped him better connect with his parents and elder relatives, especially since he has been preoccupied with research and rarely communicates with family.
Wang also mentioned that engaging with her fans has been enlightening. Some younger followers have developed an interest in her generation's experiences due to their relationships with their grandparents, while others have been touched by her stories of love and companionship with her husband.
"These seniors are so full of vitality. The way they embrace and love life helps us young people break free from the exhaustion of work," said Li, a young internet user.
"Grandfluencers, with their optimistic attitudes, unique life philosophies and distinctive personalities, bring freshness to the short video ecosystem and promote a positive image of a new elderly lifestyle. Young people are drawn to their content for their thought-provoking nature and projection of an ideal self, helping ease their fears and unfamiliarity with aging," said Bai Long, a professor at Communication University of China, Nanjing, according to Xinhua.
Wang advised younger people to embrace the opportunities available in today's diverse world. Reflecting on her own youth, when choices were often made passively, she shared that she became a teacher by default due to her training but might have chosen a different path if given the chance.
"Young people should live according to their ideals, pursue the life they want, cherish their youth, and work hard to minimize regrets in life," Wang said.
A Chinese research team has successfully developed a strong flow linear plasma device named as “Chixiao” to provide a scientific and technological tool for the development of core materials for the research of “artificial sun,” the controlled nuclear fusion experimental devices, Xinhua News Agency reported on Tuesday.
According to the research team from Hefei Institutes of Physical Sciences (HFIPS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the parameters of Chixiao were verified on Tuesday to meet design criteria following expert assessment, making China the second country in the world following the Netherlands, to own a device of its kind.
The research of the “artificial sun” faces a series of major challenges including the challenge of developing super materials capable of enduring the immense impact of plasma particle flows that are used in constructing the “wall” of the “artificial sun.”
According to Zhou Haishan, a researcher from the Institute of Plasma Physics of the HFIPS, CAS, studies on the future “artificial sun” capable of generating continuous electricity over extended periods, require advanced simulation environments to test whether the materials developed meet the standards. Developing “durable and resilient” wall materials to replicate such experimental conditions remains highly challenging.
The research team led by Zhou spent more than five years developing the strong-current linear plasma device “Chixiao” designed to rigorously test the wall materials for the next-generation “artificial sun,” with its capacity to rapidly eject 1024 (ten to the power of twenty-four) particles per square meter per second and to run continuously for more than 24 hours at a time.
Because of its sleek, sword-like structure, the 15.5-meter-long and 22.5-ton device derives its name from Chixiao, one of ancient China’s top ten legendary swords.
On Tuesday, the review panel announced that the parameters of the “Chixiao” device met the design criteria, making China the second country in the world to possess such a device following the Netherlands.
According to Xinhua, China’s nuclear fusion research now stands at the forefront of global advancements, and the creation of the “Chixiao” device will provide strong support for researching the next-generation “artificial sun,” the Chinese Fusion Engineering Testing Reactor (CFETR). The “Chixiao” device will not only serve Chinese scientists but also enable collaborative international research efforts.
On the morning of Jan. 6, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech at the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI). He emphasized that unprecedented efforts have been made to advance full and rigorous Party self-governance and promote the fight against corruption since the beginning of the new era, yielding widely recognized results. It is essential to remain steadfast in the ongoing fight against corruption and to maintain strategic resolve and a tough stance. We must press forward without pause or compromise, coordinate efforts to ensure that officials do not have the audacity, opportunity or desire to become corrupt, and resolutely win this tough, protracted and all-around battle.
Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting. Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CCDI, presided over the meeting.
Xi pointed out that in 2024, the CPC Central Committee continued to use the Party's self-reform to steer social transformation and persevered with full and rigorous self-governance, securing new progress and achievements. The entire Party has gained a clearer understanding and stronger resolve in action regarding the crucial issue of self-reform. Party discipline education has been thoroughly implemented, greatly raising awareness of rules and discipline among all Party members. Efforts to combat corruption have been intensified to eradicate the breeding grounds and conditions for corruption. Concrete actions have been taken to address misconduct and corruption at the primary level, resolving many of the most pressing issues that cause grave public concerns. Additionally, the deepening efforts to run the Party based on its systems and regulations have further strengthened the Party's capacity to lead the fight against corruption and advance full and rigorous Party self-governance.
Xi emphasized that corruption is the greatest threat to the Party, and combating corruption represents the most thorough kind of self-reform. Entering the new era and confronted with prominent issues in improving conduct, upholding integrity and fighting corruption within the Party, we have remained committed to investigating and addressing all corruption cases to preserve the integrity of officials. By doing so, we have burnished the Party's image, consolidated the socialist foundation, gained the historical initiative to ensure that the Party remains true to its nature, conviction and character, and also secured the historical initiative for the Party to unite and lead all the people in the pursuit of building a strong nation and achieving national rejuvenation.
Xi said the current anti-corruption situation remains grave and complex. The backlog of corruption has not yet been eradicated, and new cases continue to arise. The task of eliminating the breeding grounds and conditions for corruption remains arduous. To understand the fight against corruption, we must have a historical perspective and strategic vision, and focus on the Party's mission and tasks. We must remain steadfast in combating corruption. Any hesitation, laxity or abandonment will lead to catastrophic mistakes. We must resolutely dispel all misconceptions, clear away ideological confusion, and further strengthen our determination and confidence in the fight against corruption.
Xi emphasized that on the new journey of the new era, we must uphold the spirit of reform and exercise strict Party self-governance to strive for greater results. This will ensure the implementation of the decisions made at the 20th CPC National Congress and the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, ensure that the Party is always the firm leadership core guiding the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and guarantee the steady and long-term advancement of Chinese modernization.
Xi pointed out that we should conduct concrete, targeted and regular political oversight. It is essential to closely follow the CPC Central Committee with firm actions. Ideologically, we must persistently strengthen efforts to equip members with the Party's new theories. This will enable them to accurately grasp the CPC Central Committee's goals and requirements for reform and development in their respective regions, departments and fields, and will ensure unity in thinking and action. Politically, it is a must to uphold the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, enforce strict political discipline and rules, and never allow the seven types of misconduct, so as to match our deeds with words and fully comply with the CPC Central Committee's directives and prohibitions. In action, it is imperative to take the implementation of the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee as the focus of political oversight, thereby jointly pressing ahead with critical reform tasks and promoting high-quality development.
Xi stressed that strengthening Party discipline is a regular practice, and it is necessary to guide Party members and officials to transform Party discipline into self-discipline and internalize it into an everyday code of words and deeds. Efforts are needed to build a regular and long-term discipline education mechanism so that discipline education lasts throughout the whole cycle of officials' growth and integrates into the entire process of organizational management. It is also necessary to strictly implement Party discipline, accurately exercise four forms of oversight over discipline compliance, seek truth from facts, protect the innocent while holding wrongdoers accountable, identify problems early and correct them while they are nascent. Thus, we can enforce strict management and supervision while encouraging officials to take on responsibilities, and enable them to engage in reform and innovation and show great enterprise in compliance with the rules and discipline.
Xi pointed out that it is necessary to further investigate and address instances of both misconduct and corruption. It is a must to always show zero tolerance for malpractices, strictly implement the central Party leadership's eight-point decision on improving conduct, rigidly investigate and punish those who intentionally violate Party discipline, and address the more hidden problems of pointless formalities, bureaucratism, hedonism and extravagance. We must urge Party members and officials to resolutely oppose privilege-seeking mindsets and practices and to develop a firm and correct attitude toward power, performance evaluation and our cause. It is necessary to always maintain a tough stance against corruption, focus on and investigate key issues, areas and targets, investigate those who take bribes and also those who offer them, and resolutely eliminate the hidden risks of institutional corruption. Cases should be studied and used to promote rectification and improve governance, and efforts must be made to improve the mechanisms for regulating and supervising the allocation and exercise of power and increase the effective methods for combating new types and disguised forms of corruption. It is necessary to improve conduct and enforce discipline while combating corruption, investigate and severely punish those involved in misconduct intertwined with corruption, and eradicate the common root causes of both misconduct and corruption.
Xi emphasized the need to ensure that principal and oversight responsibilities for full and rigorous Party self-governance are assumed. Party committees must take the initiative in oversight and management, while disciplinary inspection commissions should fulfill their specialized supervisory duties, focusing on their core responsibilities and fulfilling their primary tasks. All responsible entities must be aware of, shoulder and fulfill their respective responsibilities. The mechanism for evaluating the fulfillment of responsibilities should be optimized, and work must be done to ensure accurate and well-founded accountability for those who fail to perform their duties and responsibilities.
Xi pointed out the need to continuously extend full and rigorous Party self-governance to the grassroots level. Party committees at all levels, especially those at the city and county levels, must make it a regular task to address misconduct and corruption that occur at people's doorsteps, ensuring tangible and perceptible results for the public. We should deepen reforms in grassroots supervision systems and mechanisms, integrating disciplinary inspection and supervision with inspections at the grassroots level and with other forms of oversight. Long-term mechanisms for rectifying pointless formalities to reduce burdens at the grassroots level should be implemented to enable primary-level officials to concentrate more on delivering results.
Xi emphasized that disciplinary inspection and supervision bodies are a vital force in advancing the Party's self-reform, and the Party and the people have full trust in and high expectations for this team. We should deepen the reform of the disciplinary inspection and supervision system, judiciously integrating the delegation of power with oversight to confine power to an institutional cage. It is necessary to ensure that disciplinary inspection and supervision work is carried out in a more standardized, law-based and professional manner, and to continuously enhance the ability to improve conduct, enforce discipline and combat corruption. We must consolidate and expand the achievements of theoretical study programs and education, adhere to the principle that it takes a good blacksmith to forge good steel, and strengthen strict management and oversight to build a loyal, clean and responsible disciplinary inspection and supervision team that has the courage and capability to engage in struggle.
Presiding over the meeting, Li Xi said that General Secretary Xi's important speech fully recognized the new progress and achievements in advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance over the past year. With a farsighted historical perspective, the speech showed a profound understanding of the fundamental principles governing the anti-corruption campaign and deeply analyzed the current anti-corruption situation. It outlined clear requirements for resolutely winning this tough, protracted and all-around battle against corruption, and presented a strategic plan for further advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance. The visionary speech is profound in thought, direct in addressing problems, and highly enlightening, providing important guidance for promoting full and rigorous Party self-governance and for combating corruption. We must thoroughly study and implement the guiding principles of General Secretary Xi's speech, and gain a deep understanding of the decisive significance of establishing Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and establishing the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It is necessary to be more conscious of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership; to strengthen confidence in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics; and to uphold General Secretary Xi Jinping's core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and uphold the CPC Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership. We must strengthen confidence, have the courage to fight, fulfill the political responsibility of full and rigorous Party self-governance, advance the coordinated efforts to ensure that officials do not have the audacity, opportunity or desire to become corrupt, and unwaveringly push the fight against corruption to a deeper level.
Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, members of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, relevant leaders of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, state councilors, president of the Supreme People's Court, procurator-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, relevant leaders of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and members of the Central Military Commission attended the meeting.
Members of the CCDI, leading officials of central Party and government departments as well as people's organizations, and leading officials of relevant units in the military also participated in the meeting. The meeting was held via video and telephone, with sub-venues set up in various provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, and relevant military units.
The fourth plenary session of the 20th CCDI opened in Beijing on Jan. 6. The Standing Committee of the CCDI presided over the session. On the afternoon of Jan. 6, Li Xi, on behalf of the Standing Committee of the CCDI, delivered a work report titled "Further Promoting Efforts to Improve Party Conduct, Uphold Integrity and Combat Corruption, Providing Strong Guarantee for Advancing Chinese Modernization Through New Achievements in Full and Rigorous Party Self-Governance."
China's Ambassador to South Korea, Dai Bing, presented his credentials to South Korea's acting president, Choi Sang-mok, on Tuesday.
Dai conveyed greetings from Chinese leaders to Choi and expressed that China and South Korea are friendly neighbors and important cooperative partners. He emphasized that China is firmly committed to developing the China-South Korea strategic cooperative partnership, according to the Chinese Embassy in South Korea.
Under the current circumstances, Dai said he believes that the South Korean people have the wisdom and capability to properly handle domestic issues, and he sincerely wishes for stability, development, and prosperity for South Korea.
For his part, Choi welcomed Dai on his new appointment and asked him to convey his greetings to the Chinese leaders. Choi expressed his hope that Dai would play an active role in promoting the development of ROK-China relations.
Dai arrived in Seoul on December 27, 2024, to assume the position of Chinese Ambassador to South Korea.
According to China's Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM), the number of production safety accidents nationwide declined by 11.2 percent and the number of fatalities decreased by 7.7 percent year-on-year in 2024, with the number of fatalities reaching a historical low, China Central Television reported on Wednesday.
The number of deaths and missing persons due to natural disasters remained under 1,000 in 2024, and the number of forest and grassland fires reached a historical low, said the report.
In 2024, the relevant authorities encouraged departments to release 61 major accident hazard identification standards.
The disaster-causing potential of natural disasters in 2024 significantly surpassed the average year. In many regions, including South China's Guangdong Province, Central China's Hunan Province and Northeast China's Liaoning Province, the rainfall has surpassed historical extremes, according to the report.
There have been 26 numbered flood occurrences along major rivers nationwide in 2024, the highest since 1998, when numbering began. Heavy rainfall, flooding and geological disasters happened concurrently and repeatedly in multiple regions, said the report.
The MEM has initiated 188 emergency responses and dispatched 151 working groups to the front lines last year.
More efforts will be made to address safety production issues and conduct special rectifications in key industries and sectors in 2025 to prevent major accidents, according to the report, citing officials from MEM.
The efforts include improving and upgrading the standards for identifying major accident hazards, carrying out special rectification in key industries and areas, and coordinating the response to natural disasters, as well as further improving the disaster prevention, reduction, and relief mechanisms in 2025, according to the ministry.
Moreover, improvements will be made to accelerate the comprehensive coverage of county-level emergency material reserves, strengthening the construction and management of emergency shelters, and further improving the mechanism for disaster assessment and evaluation.
A 4.8-magnitude earthquake shook Yongning county in Yinchuan, capital of Northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, at 10:01 am on Thursday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).
The epicenter was located at 38.4 degrees north latitude and 106.22 degrees east longitude. The quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
As of press time, no reports of building collapses or casualties have emerged. The earthquake was strongly felt in nearby regions, including Wuhai, Bayannur of Inner Mongolia and Lanzhou of Gansu Province, according to CCTV News.
According to CENC, there have been 21 earthquakes of 3.0-magnitude or above within a 200-km radius of the epicenter in the past five years. The strongest earthquake was a 4.9-magnitude quake that occurred on December 31, 2023, in Baiyin of Gansu Province, 214 kilometers away from the Thursday earthquake's epicenter.
Local firefighters were assembled and 20 vehicles and 105 personnel have been deployed to carry out inspections around the epicenter, and other teams are on standby for immediate deployment, according to CCTV.
According to the Earthquake Agency of Ningxia, seismic monitoring data in Yinchuan was normal, and no abnormalities were detected in macro-observations of the earthquake. The possibility of a 5.0-magnitude or above earthquake occurring in the original seismic zone is low though the possibility of strong aftershocks remains.
