China and Pakistan signed five new agreements aimed at advancing joint efforts in disaster prevention. The objective to be achieved through the China-Pakistan Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Smart Disaster Prevention of Major Infrastructures.  The agreements inked on September 19 between Southeast University, China, and prominent Pakistani institutions, China Economic Net (CEN) reported on Wednesday. It marks a new chapter in the collaborative research and development between the two nations in disaster risk management and infrastructure resilience. The agreements were established between Southeast University and the following 5 Pakistani institutions respectively, namely, Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, and University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar.

These agreements focus on expanding research in areas such as earthquake engineering, structural health monitoring, and disaster risk reduction technologies.  This collaboration is expected to provide a solid framework for future projects, including the establishment of new research and development facilities in Pakistan On the occasion, both sides emphasized the necessity of policy support from the respective governments and disaster management authorities to ensure the success of the joint laboratory.  The agreements also laid out plans for talent exchange programs and the joint development of international standards for disaster prevention technology.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China