China Deploys Advanced Tech to Boost Disaster Response and Global Aid

China is leveraging cutting-edge technology, including satellites, drones and artificial intelligence, to enhance its disaster response capabilities and support international humanitarian efforts.

Credit: China Mobile

Following a magnitude-7.9 earthquake in Myanmar on March 28, China deployed 14 satellites to capture high-resolution images of the affected area. The data helped identify more than 480 suspected disaster sites within a 120-kilometre radius of the epicentre near Mandalay.

In January, when a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Dingri County in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were used as airborne base stations to restore emergency communications.

These efforts are part of China's broader strategy to improve disaster preparedness, highlighted annually on May 12 during National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Day.

China's Fengyun meteorological satellites play a key role in global disaster monitoring. With nine satellites currently in orbit, they provide high-resolution data for weather forecasting and early warning systems. As of April, the China Meteorological Administration reported that these satellites had delivered data and products to 133 countries and regions, particularly aiding developing nations in Asia and Africa.

Aerial technology has also advanced China's rapid response capabilities. The AG600, a domestically developed large amphibious aircraft, is designed for firefighting and maritime rescue missions across diverse terrains. It received its type certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China in April and is expected to enter the market soon.

After the Dingri County earthquake, the Wing Loong-2H UAV was deployed to assess damage. Equipped with electro-optical sensors and synthetic aperture radar, it transmitted real-time data and high-resolution images to support targeted rescue operations.

UAVs have also been used in flood-prone areas. During the "Emergency Mission 2024" drills in Zhejiang Province, Wing Loong series UAVs helped establish communication links in isolated regions, enabling timely rescue coordination.

Artificial intelligence and robotics are increasingly integrated into disaster relief. During the Myanmar earthquake, a Chinese language team used the domestic large language model (LLM) DeepSeek to develop a Chinese-Burmese-English translation system, aiding communication for rescue teams.

AI systems also enhance meteorological forecasting. In April, the Guangdong Meteorological Observatory launched the "15th Games meteorological AI assistant" to support the upcoming National Games. Powered by DeepSeek and Alibaba’s Qwen, the assistant analyses weather data and provides rapid service recommendations.

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• China deployed 14 satellites after Myanmar’s March 28 earthquake to identify over 480 disaster sites

• UAVs restored emergency communications after a January earthquake in Xizang

• Fengyun satellites provide weather data to 133 countries and regions

Source: CGTN