China has set up a tsunami alert centre in the South China Sea in Beijing’s latest effort to bolster its jurisdiction in the disputed waters.
According to Reuters, Wang Hong, the chief of the State Oceanic Administration, told reporters on the sidelines of China’s annual meeting of parliament that a tsunami alert center had already begun initial operations even though it is still under construction
“We have already begun issuing tsunami alerts to the international community, including countries on the periphery of the South China Sea,” Mr Wang said.
“Co-operation in the South China Sea is one of our important focuses. We hope to collaborate with South China Sea countries and create a peaceful and harmonious sea,” Mr Wang said.
He did not give details on the centre’s location.
Tsunami alerts are issued by several centres around the world – the United States’ tsunami.gov and Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, the Australian Joint Tsunami Warning Centre and several other Indian Ocean tsunami alert centres in various countries.
