China’s inland Henan Province has been severely hit by torrential rains and floods since mid-July. Shortly after the flood occurred, Fengyun-series satellites developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) have been put into use to acquire space-based observation data for real-time situation analysis and subsequent disaster assessment.
FY-4B satellite, inter alia, was activated with the fast-imaging mode in high frequency to incessantly monitor the rainfall patterns and tendencies. In addition, Gaofen-series satellites including GF-3 and GF-6 have also delivered necessary services to the Ministry of Emergency Management and on-site rescue teams in checking the local conditions and adjusting the relief work.
Apart from supply carriage and epidemic disinfestation, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) could also perform in illumination and communication. Damaged by the floods, domestic water and electricity were cut off in many residential zones and the water supply plant of Zhengzhou City was in a burning need to be repaired.
As a breakthrough for 300-meter aerial work, the Tianshu-A8 mooring drone was deployed immediately to undertake a 24-hour duty on video observing and electrical lighting in aiding the pool-cleaning process. Meanwhile, Wing Loong 2H unmanned aircraft, a new face just officially unveiled, has productively coordinated in restoring the mobile communication network of 50 square meters.
Enhanced Interactions Between Humanity and Technology
The Dolphin-1 surface rescue robot, a smart lifeboat that can bear two or three adults and reach three meters per second with no load, was transported to the deluge-afflicted areas and operated over water by a remote controller, allowing the rescuers to swiftly and accurately stretch out to the victims.
Another type of intelligent equipment – an emergency floating bridge – was installed overnight with miscellaneous shapes to transfer 1,400 people trapped in Xinxiang City. It is one of the most pioneering water-rescue apparatus designed by China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC), and can be utilised to tackle the ever-changing conditions and ensure the resettlement of the affected people, thus it’s also known as “the lifesaving bridge.”
Advancement of techs witnessing the development of China
Today, a heart-wrenching flood disaster once again gave China an arduous test. Only this time the mass-crowd strategy was replaced by human-technology consolidation, which better assisted Henan Province to tide over hardships.
Technology not only supports poverty alleviation, green development and civil infrastructure, but also underpins the social and economic progress, not to mention its immense contribution to combating the COVID-19 pandemic, as China successfully isolated the world’s first virus strain, completed viral genome sequencing, formulated and applied a billion doses of vaccines, and exported nearly half of its production to help over 100 countries.
Over the past seven decades, China has attached great importance and demonstrated strong determination to scientific and technological innovation from a strategic and long-term perspective. China has also attained remarkable achievements such as manned space flight, deep-sea submersible, high-speed railway, super hybrid rice, artemisinin, 5G and innumerably world-renowned accomplishments.
As reported by OpenGov Asia, As reported by OpenGov Asia, China’s Ministry of Science and Technology has played an important role in China’s efforts to build a moderately prosperous society. China has taken a host of practical measures to promote science and technology in socio-economic development, foster innovation, support the transfer and industrialisation of research results, and encourage more investment in scientific and technological infrastructure.
The ministry has also worked with multiple provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions to encourage institutes in economically thriving areas to cooperate with their counterparts in less-developed western regions, and has also helped technology-intensive east coast enterprises establish presences in the west. The introduction of investment, business and talented people has helped less-developed areas build their own high-tech industries, train local professionals, and create more jobs.
In addition, cutting-edge disciplines like Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum information, advanced manufacturing, brain sciences and aerospace technology will remain at the top of the ministry’s support list.
