Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for an immediate, nationwide mobilisation to protect lives and property as devastating floods and landslides wreak havoc across several regions of China.
In a directive issued on Monday, Xi, who also serves as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, urged authorities at all levels to act with speed and determination to confront the growing natural disaster triggered by prolonged heavy rains.
“All-out search and rescue must be conducted for those missing or trapped,” Xi said, underlining the urgent need for timely evacuation and resettlement of residents in flood-prone areas to minimise loss of life.
The president warned officials to brace for the worst-case scenarios and extreme weather conditions.
He emphasised the importance of clarifying responsibilities, implementing robust flood control strategies, reinforcing vulnerable zones, and deploying rescue teams and resources according to scientific analysis.
“Emergency response must be activated and carried out at the earliest possible moment to fully protect people’s lives and property,” Xi added.
China’s eastern, northern, and northeastern provinces—including Beijing, Hebei, Jilin, and Shandong—have witnessed relentless rainfall in recent weeks
The downpours have unleashed widespread flooding and geological disasters, resulting in significant casualties and widespread displacement.
In a related statement, Chinese Premier Li Qiang echoed Xi’s directive, calling on national flood control bodies to assist local governments in strengthening their emergency response systems.
Li, a member of the CPC Politburo Standing Committee, stressed the need to enhance real-time extreme weather monitoring and urged intensified inspections of river embankments and reservoir infrastructure. He also called for swift identification and management of urban flooding risks.
As rescue operations continue, China now faces one of its most severe flood crises in recent years, with the central leadership demanding unrelenting vigilance, rapid action, and unified national coordination to limit the catastrophe’s impact.
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