State Councilor Wang Yong called for efforts to enhance international cooperation on earthquake prevention and disaster reduction during an international conference held in Chengdu on May 12 to mark the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake.

During the conference, Wang read a letter from President Xi Jinping before delivering a speech.

“Faced with new challenges, we should give priority to earthquake prevention, combine prevention with relief, and build a system and mechanism that ensures seismic safety,” he said.

According to Wang, governments should vigorously promote the modernization of science and technology, business systems, service capabilities, and social governance for earthquake prevention and disaster reduction, while enhancing comprehensive capability in preventing natural disasters.

Wang also said that coping with natural disasters is a shared responsibility of the international community.

“China is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with various countries and promote establishing a Belt and Road earthquake and tsunami monitoring and early warning network,” he added.