China is willing to support ASEAN in building up its earthquake and tsunami early warning systems, Vice Premier Hui Liangyu said yesterday in Beijing.

Hui was attending the opening of a 2-day China-ASEAN Workshop on warning systems for earthquake-generated tsunamis, nearly a month after earthquake-triggered tidal waves swept across the Indian Ocean and killed more than 280,000 people.

ASEAN refers to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The region was the most affected by the disaster.

Hui said China's aid to the ravaged area is the largest assistance offered to a foreign country in the nation's history.

China would like to offer support in terms of techniques, equipment and training resources to ASEAN countries to help them build their capacity in earthquake and tsunami warning systems, Hui said in his opening remarks.

Hui urged a tsunami warning system for the Indian Ocean ring be set up as soon as possible.

"We hope the system will fully draw on successful experiences and pay off soon," he said.

Hui said the establishment of such a system requires global effort.

The United Nations should play a lead coordinating role in the process, he said, adding that ASEAN should provide key contributions, as well.

He called upon various regional institutions and organizations to support the endeavor.

A warning system is necessary because the danger of more disasters is still there, said Jan Sopaheluwakan, deputy chairman for earth sciences at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, also attending the workshop.

"We just cannot wait until the next one," he said.

He came with the hope of learning more about Chinese experiences and techniques in earthquake and tsunami warnings.

The cooperation between China and Indonesia will be long term and contribute to a multi-national cooperative stance since earthquakes and tsunami are transboundary disasters, he added.

He also suggested that a network of earthquake detectors linked to the US Global Positioning System, a satellite system that is used widely in the world, should be set up.

Pe Thon, deputy minister for transport of Myanmar, said such cooperation could help prevent future disasters and will surely cause fewer losses than the December 26 tragedy.

The Chinese Government has already pledged a donation of US$83 million for disaster relief. Private donations have totaled US$45 million.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said in a regular news briefing yesterday that half the donations will be handed over to the affected countries by the end of this month.

(China Daily January 26, 2005)