Disaster response cooperation a necessity

After the collapse of a dam of the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy hydroelectricity project in late July caused severe floods in parts of the Attapeu province in southern Laos, China offered immediate and extensive assistance to control the situation.

The floods in Laos have taught us a serious lesson. Given the rising non-traditional security threats, such as climate change, natural and human-induced disasters, and environmental pollution, there is an urgent need for cooperation between China and the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in non-traditional security fields.

China's participation in the rescue and relief operations after the dam collapse is a good example of how China can develop, and strengthen, cooperation with the ASEAN member states in such fields.