NOAA Plans Continuing Collaboration with China

NOAA has announced a continuing collaboration with China to reduce and mitigate natural disasters, pursue integrated coastal management, and convene a workshop and symposium on climate variability issues.

The announcement was made at the second meeting of the U.S.–China Environment and Development Forum during the Science for Sustainable Development Working Group at the U.S. State Department on 9 April.

The first meeting of the group was held in Beijing in 1997. Since then, NOAA has played a key role in advancing several initiatives, officials said. They are:

• Cochairing a workshop on Natural Disaster Mitigation and Reduction in November 1997, which has resulted in several follow-on activities. This collaboration will allow both sides to address the many challenges of natural calamities and technological systems by calling for cooperative exchanges and projects in disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation to help save lives and reduce property losses.
• The establishment of a Joint Coordination Panel on Integrated Coastal Management, administered by NOAA and China's State Oceanic Administration. The panel will support China's current efforts to manage growing coastal pressures, while acquiring data and information that will benefit U.S. coastal management.
• Agreement to hold a U.S.–China Workshop on Climate Variability and Application in Beijing in September 1999.

These activities "build on the strength of our relationship and focus our efforts in the fields of science and technology," said NOAA Administrator D. James Baker. "As we approach 20 years of cooperation and collaboration with China, the critical issues of natural disasters, coastal management, and climate will continue to be priorities for the future."