VIENTIANE (Xinhua): A handover ceremony for the China-aided Lao national seismic monitoring network project was recently held in the Lao capital, Vientiane.
The project, which was launched in 2017, has established 15 modern integrated seismic stations across Laos, as well as the country's first national earthquake data centre.
The project has also trained Lao technical personnel in network operation and maintenance, data processing, and information dissemination, enabling the country to independently and quickly report earthquakes of magnitude 3 and above, thereby enhancing its disaster prevention, mitigation, and emergency response capabilities.
Speaking at the ceremony, Lao Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Saynakhone Inthavong noted that Laos had lacked a nationwide earthquake monitoring system for many years.
He said the aid project is highly significant, as it will greatly strengthen the country’s earthquake monitoring capacity, allowing Laos to obtain earthquake information quickly and in a timely manner and better mitigate the risks of seismic disasters.
In her speech, Li Xizhen, economic and commercial counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Laos, stated that the close cooperation between China and Laos in earthquake prevention and disaster reduction reflects the deepening of scientific and technological collaboration between the two nations.
On behalf of the aid organisation, Li Yonglin, deputy director of the China Earthquake Administration, said that the handover of the project represents not only the transfer of technology but also the continuation of friendship, carrying the deep affection of the Chinese people for the Lao people and demonstrating China's firm determination to share development achievements and jointly build a security barrier with Laos. -- Xinhua
