Recently, the China Rescue Team (CRT) and China International Search and Rescue Team (CISAR) have successfully passed the re-accreditation of the UN International Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Teams. On May 29, the UN’s re-accreditation award ceremony for international heavy USAR teams was held in Beijing. Xu Jia’ai, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Emergency Management, and Sarah Maskell, Representative of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), attended the ceremony and delivered speeches. Xu Jia’ai stated that the Chinese government has always attached great importance to international humanitarian rescue work. The Ministry of Emergency Management resolutely implements the spirit of a series of important instructions and directives by President Xi Jinping, and always adheres to the principle of "Put People and Their Lives First" . It regards capacity building as a fundamental project and firmly presses ahead with it, fully promoting the two teams to continuously their development concepts, consolidate infrastructure, emphasize practical training and exercises, refine technical tactics, maintain emergency readiness at all times, and fulfill the glorious mission of UN International Heavy Urban Search and Rescue Teams. He expressed the hope that taking the successful re-accreditation as a new starting point, the two teams will continue to carry forward fine traditions, temper their fighting will, and intensify training in rescue skills, striving to become elite forces capable of efficiently performing emergency rescue tasks both at home and abroad. The Ministry of Emergency Management will, as always, support and participate in global international rescue affairs, especially those in the Asia-Pacific region, and contribute more Chinese strength to advancing the building of a global community of shared future . Sarah Maskell presented certificates to the two teams, congratulating them on successfully passing the re-accreditation of the UN International Heavy Urban Search and Rescue Teams with outstanding performance. She also thanked the Chinese government for its remarkable contributions to international humanitarian affairs and expressed the expectation that the two teams would play a greater role in international humanitarian rescue operations. From May 27 to 28, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) organized 18 international assessment experts from 14 countries to conduct a rigorous, comprehensive and standardized evaluation of the two teams. Following over 40 hours of high-intensity, non-stop practical earthquake search and rescue drills, the international assessment experts reached a unanimous decision that the China Rescue Team and the China International Search and Rescue Team passed the re-accreditation. More than 60 experts in the global rescue field, along with members of the National Comprehensive Fire and Rescue Force, the China Hong Kong Rescue Team and social emergency rescue forces, observed the re-accreditation exercise on site. To date, a total of 33 rescue teams worldwide have passed the UN International Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team assessment. Established in August 2018, the China Rescue Team has passed the assessment twice. For its part, the China International Search and Rescue Team, founded in April 2001, has obtained the accreditation on four occasions.    

Approved by the Ministry of Emergency Management, the 2025 "Emergency Red Roses – Life Education and Safety Competence Improvement" Campaign, co-hosted by Emergency General Hospital (National Research Center for Emergency Medicine) and the Business Development Center of the Red Cross Society of China, was held at the North and East Campuses of Emergency General Hospital on May 20. Nearly 40 participants attended the event, including diplomats stationed in China such as Counselor Diza of Zimbabwe, Mrs. Bogale (wife of the Head of the Ethiopian Special Mission), as well as representatives from the embassies of Afghanistan, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Malawi, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Also present were Director Jin Hongtu of the Business Development Center of the Red Cross Society of China and representatives from the Ministry of Emergency Management. The campaign received support from the Committee of the Communist Youth League (CYLC) of Beijing Foreign Studies University and the Beijing Cross-Strait Medical Research Institute. Vice President Sun Jinwen of Emergency General Hospital delivered a welcome speech. He stated that the "Emergency Red Roses" campaign is tailored to the health needs of spouses of diplomatic envoys and female staff members from Belt and Road countries stationed in China, establishing an international exchange and interaction platform for women centered on safety and health. He expressed the expectation to deepen exchanges with various countries in such fields as disaster prevention and control, medical rescue and women’s health, and to jointly enhance the emergency response capacity for life safety. The Business Development Center of the Red Cross Society of China, a co-organizer of the event, stated that during this year’s World Red Cross Day and Red Cross Week (both observed on May 8), the national Red Cross system launched a diverse array of life education, humanitarian communication and volunteer service activities under the theme of "Committed to Humanity, Walking Hand in Hand", fulfilling the lofty mission of the Red Cross – "to protect human life and health" – through concrete actions. This event serves as a tangible step for the Red Cross to actively participate in the construction of emergency management cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and to carry forward the humanitarian spirit. It is also a practical measure to promote and practice humanitarianism, align with the people of countries along the Belt and Road, jointly advance the in-depth implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, build a community with a shared future for mankind, and make positive contributions to the humanitarian and health undertakings of countries and regions along the route. During the event, intangible cultural heritage (ICH) and health preservation interacted in a fascinating way. Ms. Gong Chunhua, an ICH inheritor and staff member of Emergency General Hospital, showcased her expertise by presenting the traditional Chinese paper-cutting art to the guests and guiding them to create paper-cut garlands, filling the venue with a lively atmosphere. In addition, the workshop for making health-preserving hammers printed with the "Emergency Red Roses" logo was extremely popular. As soon as the guests finished making the hammers, they put these handy tools to use, finding them "magic weapons" for relieving shoulder and neck fatigue. Many guests also came up with innovative ideas, planning to incorporate elements of their own countriesthe hammer bags later to create unique, customized health-preserving hammers. At the event venue, Director Liu Aiying of the Dermatology Department explained the key points of scientific skincare in a clear and accessible manner. Head Nurse Chen Lijuan of the Emergency Department demonstrated the Heimlich Maneuver on site, while Doctor Yang Chen from the National Medicine Center shared knowledge about the integration of medicine and food in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The guests actively participated in the interactions, and in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, they not only learned vital skills for safeguarding life safety, but also acquired practical knowledge for enhancing their beauty and wellness. On the afternoon of the same day, the East Campus of Emergency General Hospital was buzzing with excitement as the guests joined clinical medical experience sessions in groups. At the consultation area of the National Medicine Center, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) services including pulse diagnosis, cupping therapy and acupuncture drew a huge crowd, allowing the guests to personally experience the charm of TCM. Long queues formed for dermatoscopy examinations and hydrafacial treatments at the Dermatology Department, while laser freckle removal and photorejuvenation services provided by the Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery were also extremely popular. The guests participated with great enthusiasm, exploring new ways to pursue health and beauty through hands-on experience, and the event’s popularity kept rising throughout the session. After the event, the participating guests spoke highly of the campaign, commended the organizers for their innovative approaches in the field of life safety education, and expressed their eagerness to take part in similar activities in the future. The "Emergency Red Roses" campaign is one of the outcomes of the Belt and Road International Cooperation Mechanism for Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Management. Going forward, the program will continue to innovate and develop more small-scale yet high-quality signature activities, contributing to the advancement of the Belt and Road International Cooperation Mechanism for Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Management and the enhancement of women’s capacity for life safety.    

From May 11 to 13, the 8th Meeting of Directors of Emergency Disaster Relief Departments in Border Areas of SCO Member States, together with the China-Central Asia Border Cooperation and Exchange Activity on Emergency Management, was held in Shanghai. Directors of emergency disaster relief departments in border areas of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia and other countries, representatives from the SCO Secretariat and the UN-SPIDER Beijing Office attended the event both online and offline.Liu Zhi, Director of the Emergency Medicine Development Office of Emergency General Hospital (National Research Center for Emergency Medicine), participated in the meeting and delivered a speech on behalf of the China-SCO Emergency Medicine Rescue Cooperation Center for Emergency Disaster Relief Departments. The China-SCO Emergency Medicine Rescue Cooperation Center for Emergency Disaster Relief Departments was established in 2024 by the Ministry of Emergency Management, based on the National Research Center for Emergency Medicine (Emergency General Hospital). As the first specialized cooperation platform focusing on emergency medicine rescue under the SCO framework, it undertakes multiple functions such as international exchanges and regional collaborative cooperation between China and the SCO in the field of emergency medicine rescue. Liu Zhi briefed the participants on the work of the China-SCO Emergency Medicine Rescue Cooperation Center for Emergency Disaster Relief Departments. He pointed out that May 12 is both National Disaster Prevention and Reduction Day and International Nurses' Day, and it is of great significance to discuss international cooperation in emergency medicine rescue on such a meaningful day. The Ministry of Emergency Management of China attaches great importance to exchanges and cooperation with SCO member states in emergency medicine rescue, and has established the China-SCO Emergency Medicine Rescue Cooperation Center for Emergency Disaster Relief Departments based on the Emergency General Hospital. Since its establishment, the Center has actively built an international exchange mechanism, carried out joint research and technical consulting in fields including emergency medicine rescue, occupational health, and psychological intervention; launched projects for enlightening and improving life safety capabilities, and successfully organized initiatives such as the "Emergency Red Rose" and "Emergency Youth" programs, as well as foreign aid training programs targeting emergency medicine rescue professionals. In April 2025, the Center set up a "Respiratory Endoscopy Training Base", simultaneously launching training on ventilator operation skills and on-site rescue airway management capabilities, and planning to donate medical equipment including ventilators worth nearly 4 million yuan to SCO member states. These small yet impactful projects are not only pragmatic actions to implement the international cooperation mechanism for natural disaster prevention and emergency management under the Belt and Road Initiative, but also important measures to promote mutual support, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, advance high-quality innovative development among SCO member states, and bring tangible benefits to their peoples. In response to the initiative of 2025 as the SCO Year of Sustainable Development, the China-SCO Emergency Medicine Rescue Cooperation Center for Emergency Disaster Relief Departments will actively act on the call, focus on boosting development momentum and drive innovations. It plans to promote the rapid translation and application of emerging technologiesemergency rescue practices and occupational safety protection for emergency responders by establishing expert pools and launching special projects; continue to strengthen life safety training and steadily improve the emergency response capacity for life safety among all population groups; organize the 2025 International Forum on Emergency Medicine Rescue and the Expo on Emergency Medical Equipment and Technology, deepen regional technological innovation and industrial capacity cooperation. Through these pragmatic efforts, the Center will fully implement the Eight Major Initiatives for High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation, and support the development of the international cooperation mechanism for natural disaster prevention and control and emergency management under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Recently, the "Emergency Medicine Training Program for Five Central Asian Countries", sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce, applied for and coordinated by the National Research Center for Emergency Medicine (Emergency General Hospital), and undertaken by the Academy of International Business Officials of the Ministry of Commerce, concluded successfully in Beijing. A total of 31 officials in emergency medicine from Kyrgyzstan and other countries completed a 14-day intensive training program, marking a new step forward in cooperation between China and Central Asian countries in the field of emergency medical rescue. The training program was designed to implement the Memorandum of Understanding on Establishing the China-Central Asia Emergency Management Cooperation Mechanism and the Belt and Road Emergency Management Training Program for 1,000 Personnel. It aims to advance the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, facilitate the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, build a platform for exchange and cooperation between China and the five Central Asian countries in emergency rescue, and join hands to foster a closer China-Central Asia Community with a Shared Future. To deepen the participants’ understanding of China’s distinctive emergency medicine system, the National Emergency Medicine Research Center specially designed a theoretical curriculum covering the development of China’s emergency medicine system, the cultivation and training of professional talent teams, the organization and coordination of cross-border emergency medical rescue operations, emergency psychology, China’s humanitarian traditions, and the application of traditional Chinese medicine in emergency medicine. In the meantime, study visits were arranged to venues including the National Southwest Regional Emergency Rescue Center and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, where the officials gained first-hand knowledge of the development history and construction experience of China’s distinctive emergency rescue system. At the training ground of the National Southwest Regional Emergency Rescue Center, the officials observed on-site training exercises such as search and rescue dog obedience training, box search and rescue operations, building collapse demolition and rescue, firefighters’ psychological behavior training, integrated air-ground operations for forest fire suppression, cliff climbing, cable car rescue and high-altitude rappelling. Through immersive experience of these rescue scenarios, the officials were deeply impressed by the professional and scientific rescue capabilities demonstrated by the firefighters during the training. This training program, which promotes exchanges through expertise and pursues development through cooperation, has injected new impetusemergency medicine cooperation between China and Central Asian countries. During the classes, the officials shared with great emotion a poem displayed at the United Nations Headquarters in New York: “All human beings are of one root, inherently part of a single whole. If one limb suffers pain, how can the others rest easy?” Looking ahead, the National Emergency Medicine Research Center will adhere to an international perspective, actively participate in global initiatives aimed at enhancing emergency medical rescue capabilities, and make greater contributions to supporting China’s emergency management cause and advancing the development of the Belt and Road international cooperation mechanism for natural disaster prevention and emergency management.

At 14:20 on March 28, a 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, inflicting heavy casualties and property damage across multiple regions of the country. Following the unified deployment of higher authorities, the Emergency General Hospital immediately activated its emergency response mechanism. An urgent meeting was convened overnight to arrange the hospital's participation in international rescue operations. A team of 10 highly experienced medical personnel was selected to join the China International Search and Rescue Team (CISAR) and dispatched to the quake-hit areas in Myanmar. The 10-member contingent comprises specialists and practitioners from diverse medical fields, including orthopedics, emergency medicine, rehabilitation medicine, disease control and prevention, clinical laboratory science, pharmacy, nursing, and gynecology. On the morning of March 29, the team departed from Beijing Capital International Airport for Myanmar, carrying emergency medicines, personal protective gear, and medical supplies. Tang Congyuan, Chief Engineer of the Ministry of Emergency Management of the People's Republic of China and Secretary of the Party Committee of the Emergency General Hospital, represented the hospital's Party Committee and leadership team to see the rescuers off at the airport and delivered a brief mobilization speech. Upon arrival at the disaster zone, the medical team will leverage their professional expertise to carry out rescue work in an orderly and systematic manner.