MACAO, Sept. 16 -- The Chinese mainland and China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) have enhanced their cooperation in disaster prevention and relief work after typhoon Hato hit the region late last month, paving the way for Macao's social order to be restored in such a short period of time, experts told reporters on Saturday.
Powerful Typhoon Hato struck Macao on on Aug. 23, resulting in the deaths of 10 people and injuries of more than 244 others, with a heavy loss of 11.5 billion patacas (about 1.42 billion U.S. dollars).
At the invitation of Macao SAR Chief Executive Chui Sai On, the National Commission for Disaster Reduction sent a team of experts to Macao on Wednesday to help review and provide suggestions on Macao's disaster relief work and work out a plan on disasters prevention and relief work in the future.
The 22-member team are divided into seven groups based on their specialities, such as architecture, water conservation, meteorology, telecommunication, electricity, disaster prevention and rescuing.
"We are impressed by the efficient and positive attitude of the SAR government and the Macao people, and Macao's social order has been restored in such a short period of time," Shan Chunchang, head of the team told reporters after briefing on Chui on their investigation on Saturday morning.
During their stay in Macao, the experts visited places worst hit by typhoon Hato, talked with local residents and local experts, and held work symposium with related government departments.
To understand the wind condition when the accident occurred, the team carried out multiple field investigations in some worst-hit areas.
The team also analyzed meteorological and wind data, as well as aerial photos and interviews of witnesses.
"The team upheld a high sense of responsibility for Macao people's lives during the investigation," Shan said, who is also the head of the emergency response team under the State Council.
There could be more cooperation between the Macao SAR and the mainland, such as training of personnel, sharing of meteorological data, the expert suggested.
A preliminary report will be delivered to the SAR government late this month, he added.
In fact, the mainland and Macao SAR enhanced their cooperation on disaster prevention soon after the typhoon.
About 1,000 troops from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Garrison in Macao were mobilized soon after the disaster to support the relief efforts and to help with clearing piles of rubbish triggered by the typhoon.
The mobilization, the PLA's first disaster relief operation in the SAR, was at the request of the Macao SAR government and under the approval of China's central government, in accordance with the Basic Law of the Macao SAR and the Garrison Law of the Macao SAR.
The PLA troops' relief efforts were widely praised by Macao citizens, some of them brought food and water to the soldiers to express their gratitude.
The country's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) has also launched an emergency response soon after the disaster to ensure the supply of agricultural products to the Macao SAR, and it has closely followed the progress of the mainland supply of agricultural products to Macao after Typhoon Hato.
The government of Guangdong province has arranged batches of goods to Macao SAR, such as fire tankers, disinfection equipment, electric generators, and water pumps.
Besides the preliminary report, the experts will also help Macao make a long-term guideline for the region's disaster prevention and relief work at the invitation of the Macao SAR government.
"The experts provide useful suggestions to Macao, and it is hoped that Macao can make use of the rich resources to improve our disaster prevention and relief work," said Goncalo Cheong, deputy director of Macao's Land, Public works and Transport Bureau.