CHAIRMAN of the National Disaster Management Committee Vice-Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win expressed his thanks to the emergency rescue teams of China yesterday morning for their efforts in carrying out emergency rescue and relief operations in Myanmar.
A ceremony to honour and thank the Chinese emergency rescue teams which had completed their rescue operations in Myanmar took place at Tabaung Ground in Nay Pyi Taw.
The Vice-Senior General and all attendees observed a one-minute silence in mouring for those who lost lives and were injured in the powerful earthquake which struck on 28 March 2025.
Speaking on the occasion, the Vice-Senior General revealed that the powerful earthquake destroyed 48,834 public houses, 3,094 monasteries and nunneries, 2,045 schools, 2,171 departmental offices and buildings, 148 bridges, 5,275 pagodas, leaving 3,550 people dead, 4,814 injured and 160 missing from 28 March to 7 April.
Emergency rescue teams saved 653 survivors and recovered 700 bodies up to now.
China earliest dispatched 265 rescuers in four teams to Nay Pyi Taw. Moreover, China International Search and Rescue Team (CISAR) (Beijing) sent 118 rescuers and seven rescue dogs on 29 and 30 March whereas Chinese Blue Sky Search and Rescue sent 89 members and Hong Kong China Search and Rescue Team 51 members to Mandalay within 72 hours of the earthquake.
It is noted with appreciation that China was the first to send four search and rescue teams, totalling 265 personnel, to Nay Pyi Taw. On 29 March, the China International Search and Rescue Team (CISAR) from Beijing deployed 118 personnel along with seven search and rescue dogs to Mandalay. Moreover, 89 personnel from the Chinese Blue Sky Search and Rescue Team and 51 personnel from the Hong Kong China Search and Rescue Team were also dispatched by the People’s Republic of China – within 72 hours – demonstrating deep gratitude for this support.
The four Chinese teams including 265 rescuers and seven dogs arrived in Nay Pyi Taw on 29 March. Of these, three teams were deployed to Mandalay, and one remained in Nay Pyi Taw. The teams collaborated with local Myanmar firefighters, volunteers, military personnel, and Myanmar police in the respective townships, which was witnessed with great pride and appreciation.
In Nay Pyi Taw, a 37-member Search and Rescue Team from Yunnan Province’s Mining and Rescue Unit began operations on 29 March, conducting advanced search and rescue activities using specialized equipment at Pinlon Hospital in Ottarathiri Township.
Thanks to their efforts, they were able to rescue a woman alive at 5 am on 30 March 2025. Later that day, they continued the search and rescue operations and successfully recovered the bodies of two deceased women.
Moreover, the team carried out search and rescue operations in apartment buildings located in Zabuthiri Township. On 3 April, they managed to recover the bodies of two more deceased individuals from apartment numbers 1338 and 2376 after a challenging operation.
In total, the Yunnan Search and Rescue Team successfully rescued one person alive and recovered four deceased individuals. On behalf of the families affected by the earthquake, sincere gratitude was expressed to the team for their dedicated efforts.
Within the Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, the Yunnan Search and Rescue Team led by Mr Mu Shu Yuan collaborated with members of the Fire Services Department, utilizing modern and advanced rescue equipment to conduct search and rescue operations. Similarly, a team of 15 members from the Yunnan Health Commission and the Medical Emergency Department, led by Mr Feng Zeli, also cooperated in medical treatment activities at the Nay Pyi Taw General Hospital (1,000-bed).
In addition, they joined hands with the Ministry of Health’s Rapid Response Teams to conduct public health measures, including testing water samples, and participating in disease prevention and control activities. Their support and cooperation are deeply appreciated.
At the same time, it was also observed that members of the China International Search and Rescue Team (CISAR) (Beijing), comprising 118 personnel and seven search-and-rescue dogs, as well as 89 members of the Chinese Blue Sky Search and Rescue Team and 51 members of the Hong Kong China Search and Rescue Team, carried out tireless and dedicated search and rescue operations from 30 March to 7 April. On behalf of the affected families, deep gratitude and appreciation are extended. Thanks to these efforts, three survivors — two from the completely collapsed Sky Villa building and one from the Golden Country Hotel — were successfully rescued. On behalf of their families, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks.
Despite the extensive destruction across Mandalay, the emergency search and rescue teams managed to recover the bodies of 51 individuals from Sky Villa, five from Win Star Hotel, four from Paragon Hotel, one from Golden Country Hotel, two from Great Wall Hotel, and one from a residential building located at the corner of 26th and 81st Streets.
At such a time when Myanmar is currently facing natural disasters, we deeply appreciate the timely assistance provided in the spirit of a good neighbour and maintaining close, friendly, and familial relations. This includes the rescue and relief efforts extended to the people of Myanmar, medical treatments through mobile clinics, and a total of 447.69 tonnes of relief supplies sent so far by the government and the people of China. It is also learned that an additional 110 tonnes of supplies are expected to arrive today.
The government is sincerely grateful for such compassionate, humanitarian support, offered in the true spirit of friendship and neighbourliness, without any conditions or constraints. It especially appreciates the assistance and relief efforts extended to our earthquake-affected citizens with a full sense of empathy and solidarity.
So, the government expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Mr Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, who leads the Chinese government; the emergency rescue teams from Beijing, Hong Kong, and Yunnan Province; as well as Ms Ma Jia, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Myanmar, and all embassy staff.
The Vice-Senior General presented certificates of appreciation and gifts to members from China Search and Rescue Team, China International Search and Rescue Team and China Search and Rescue Team (Hong Kong). The Vice-Senior General provided meals to rescuers from China.
Also present at the ceremony were Union ministers, the Nay Pyi Taw Council chairman, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command, deputy ministers, officials from the Chinese embassy and the Chinese military attache office and officials.
Chinese rescue teams carried out Assessment, Search and Rescue Level 4 in Myanmar. China will provide necessary aid and technologies for rehabilitation measures in Myanmar. — MNA/TTA
