Chinese Vice Premier Oversees Flood Relief in Beijing's Miyun District

On Monday evening, Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing arrived in Beijing's Miyun District. He was tasked by Xi Jinping, the general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, to visit and offer comfort to residents displaced by severe flooding. His mission also included overseeing the ongoing flood control and relief efforts.

During his visit, Zhang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, toured hospitals, temporary shelters, and the Miyun Reservoir. He relayed Xi Jinping's concerns and gathered detailed information on search-and-rescue operations, medical care, evacuations, and flood-mitigation engineering.

Zhang emphasized the critical stage of the country's flood control efforts. He called for a thorough assessment of potential uncertainties related to upstream water flow, reservoir safety, and downstream water discharge. He stressed the importance of precise calibration of water discharge and diversion schedules to minimize losses.

Furthermore, Zhang urged improvements to monitoring and early-warning systems. He advocated for early and decisive evacuations, with a priority on the safety of vulnerable groups, including the elderly and those with mobility impairments.

Intense rainstorms have caused widespread damage in Beijing, resulting in fatalities, damaged infrastructure, power disruptions, and mass evacuations. Disaster relief and rescue operations are currently underway throughout the city.