In March 17th, 2017, Vice Minister Liu Ning, Ministry of Water Resources, met Mr. Shaon Canney, Minister of Public Works and Flood Control of Ireland in Beijing, and both sides conducted exchanges of water resources management, flood control, drought mitigation, disaster reduction, etc.

Vice Minister Liu Ning expressed his welcome towards Minister Shaon Canney and transferred the greetings from Minister Chen Lei of Water Resources. He pointed out that During recent years the water authorities of 2 countries have conducted close exchanges and frequent high-level visits. In 2015, Ministry of Water Resources of China and Ministry of Environment, Community and Local Affairs of Ireland signed the MOU on cooperation in the field of water resources. Two countries are facing similar problems and challenges in water resources management, flood control, disaster mitigation, water infrastructure construction, integrated water resources management in river basins, responses towards climate change and other areas, have accumulated rich experience and technologies, and have a great potential for further bilateral cooperation. I hope that two sides will give full play to the existing MOU, further strengthen high-level visits and technical personnel exchanges, enhance mutual understandings through the China-EU water exchange platform, bilateral exchange mechanisms and joint seminars to seek cooperation opportunities and promote the level of water resources management of both countries. Besides, Vice Minister Liu Ning introduced the situations of flood control, drought relief and disaster mitigation in China.

Minister Shaon Canney expressed his admiration towards the achievements of China in the field of flood control and disaster mitigation. He introduced to the Chinese side the challenges faced by Ireland, the engineering and non-engineering measures taken in the aspect of flood control, especially the flood forecasting and early warning system which is now under construction in Ireland. He expressed the hope to further strengthen cooperation of the two countries in the field of water resources, especially the flood forecasting and early warning system as well as the responses to the impact of climate change.

Under the request of the Irish side, the office of State Flood Control and drought headquarters demonstrated the national commanding system of flood control and drought relief. Officials from relevant departments of Ministry of Water Resources attended the meeting,