In a bid to strengthen disaster relief efforts, China and Pacific Island nations are joining forces to build more resilient communities in the face of natural disasters.
The Pacific Islands, including countries like Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu, sit on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” making them susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, cyclones, and tsunamis. These natural disasters can wreak havoc on livelihoods and critical infrastructure, highlighting the need for effective disaster preparedness and response.
Recognizing this, the China-Pacific Island Countries Center for Disaster Risk Reduction Cooperation was launched in February 2023 in Jiangmen City, south China’s Guangdong Province. This center is China’s first multilateral platform dedicated to enhancing disaster resilience in the Pacific Islands.
The center offers risk monitoring, early warning technologies, emergency relief support, marine disaster mitigation, and capacity-building training. Shortly after its launch, the center’s Pacific Island Countries Research Institute held a foundational workshop at Wuyi University in March 2023, where academics and policymakers set research priorities for disaster governance.
In November 2023, a symposium on emergency language services was hosted at Wuyi University to support resilient urban and rural development. Officials and language specialists from the Pacific Islands discussed communication strategies tailored for crises.
From June 13 to 26, 2024, the 2024 Pacific Island Countries Disaster Management Training Course took place in Guangdong’s Guangzhou and Jiangmen. Forty officials from nine Pacific Island countries participated in training sessions on early warning systems, emergency communications, and the use of drones for rapid damage assessment. This hands-on training emphasized practical tools and protocols suited for island contexts.
Collaborative efforts continued as Wuyi University signed memorandums of understanding with universities in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. These partnerships focus on joint research in disaster risk reduction, curriculum development, and capacity-building through student and faculty exchanges.
By pooling expertise and resources, China and the Pacific Island nations are working together to enhance disaster preparedness and response. These cooperative initiatives serve as a model for global disaster risk reduction, emphasizing the importance of regional partnerships in building resilience.
