China should be more proactive in exporting its services to areas
decimated by disaster, a senior trade official has suggested.
But the country should continue to offer its rescue teams and other
general assistance on a humanitarian basis.
Chen Jian, the
assistant minister of commerce, said he had spoken with
representatives from the State Seismological Bureau (SSB) about
forming a contact resource of up to 40,000 local experts and
professionals in the sectors of building design, construction,
medical services and the exporting of special services to
disaster-hit countries.
"The potential market of post-disaster construction is huge because
many quakes and other disasters happen frequently in the world,"
Chen said, adding a further feasibility study is needed before his
suggestion can become reality.
Li
Qianghua, the SSB's information official, said the recommendation
was constructive, but stressed that the immediate disaster-relief
services offered by international search and rescue teams were free
of charge.
Chen's suggestion was submitted at a conference held yesterday to
welcome home China's 30-member rescue team, which was involved in
sifting through the debris from the recent Algeria quake which hit
on May 21.
The team, which found a 12-year-old boy alive and four deceased,
also offered medical treatment and check-ups to more than 170
people.
In
his letter of congratulations to the team, Premier Wen Jiabao said
it had done an excellent job in its first mission overseas, helping
further promote China-Algeria relations.
The director of the SSB, Song Ruixiang, said China and its eastern
neighbouring countries have experienced numerous quakes recently
and counter-measures should be strengthened to keep future losses
at a minimum.
The director said China will expand it into a regular disaster
rescue force.
Li
Yu, the assistant general commander at the Headquarters of General
Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), said two rescue teams
will soon be set up in
Yunnan Province and the
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, where earthquakes frequently
strike.
China now has special teams, consisting of PLA members, to conduct
rescue activities in earthquake and flood-hit zones.
(China Daily June 6, 2003)