President Xi Jinping ordered immediate rescue efforts to minimize casualties, called for monitoring and early warning, and a scientific approach to search and rescue to prevent secondary disasters.

The president also insisted on ensuring adequate measures to comfort the victims’ families and resettle those affected.

Xi said that natural disasters, traffic accidents, and work safety incidents occur in China during the Spring Festival holiday on February 10 due to the negative influence of cold waves.

Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, led a task team to Yunnan to oversee rescue efforts.

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