Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Xi calls for improving disaster prevention amid floods, landslides in China
China has had a very bad summer with lots of floods, landslides, and storms.
Many people got hurt or died because of the bad weather.
The leader of China, Xi Jinping, said his country needs to be better prepared.
He wants people to work on stopping disasters before they happen.
He also wants better warning systems so people know about danger early.
He wants stronger walls and drains to stop flood water.
The strongest typhoon of the year hit Beijing, the capital city.
It rained so much that roads flooded and cars got stuck.
Scientists say climate change and a weather pattern called El Niño are making storms worse.
Xi said new tools like drones and satellites should be used to help rescue people.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for improving China's ability to prevent, mitigate and respond to natural disasters.
Xi urged a shift towards pre-disaster prevention, stronger monitoring and early-warning systems, and closing gaps in flood-control and drainage infrastructure in northern China.
China's strongest typhoon this year battered Beijing with intense rain that flooded key roads and stranded vehicles.
Landslides killed dozens, including 25 people in Gansu province and 51 in Chongqing.
Xi urged the use of technologies including artificial intelligence, drones and satellite remote sensing in rescue efforts.
- Who
- Chinese President Xi Jinping
- What
- Called for improving China's ability to prevent, mitigate and respond to natural disasters, with emphasis on pre-disaster prevention and stronger early-warning systems
- When
- Remarks published Saturday in Qiushi, drawn from a speech delivered at an April 28 Politburo study session
- Where
- China, including Beijing, Gansu province and Chongqing
- Why
- A string of deadly floods and landslides this summer, which scientists link to climate change and an emerging El Niño pattern
- President
- Xi Jinping
- Publication
- Qiushi, a journal central to Communist Party messaging
- Speech
- Politburo study session on April 28
- Fatal landslide in Chongqing
- 51 dead
- Fatal landslides in Gansu
- 25 dead from flash-flood-triggered landslides
- Strongest typhoon of the year
- Battered Beijing with intense rain, flooding roads and stranding vehicles
- Technologies urged
- Artificial intelligence, drones and satellite remote sensing