Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu called on Thursday Asian and European countries to improve their disaster prevention and relief abilities through cooperation and sharing of information.

Hui made the remark at an Asia-Europe workshop on cooperation and capacity building in disaster prevention and relief, held in Chengdu, capital of southwest Sichuan Province.

Hui said natural disasters are common challenges facing the whole mankind, and cooperation between Asian and European countries in disaster relief not only has an important bearing on the economic development and livelihood of the people, but also on the sustainable development of the mankind.

"Asian and European countries should further enhance exchange and cooperation in monitoring and forecast of disasters, as well as emergency response and relief efforts," said Hui, who also suggested building of a cooperation mechanism and information sharing, that would serve the improvement of disaster prevention and relief abilities of all countries.

China had frequent natural disasters and would share its experience in coping with disasters with other countries, Hui said. He said China would continue to provide support and aid within its ability to the capacity building in disaster relief for other developing countries.

On the country's disaster prevention and relief capacity building, Hui said, China would further improve its monitoring of natural disasters and emergency rescue system, raise anti-disaster standards for buildings and increase public awareness of disasters and push for international cooperation in disaster relief.

The vice premier expressed China's appreciation for international help and support to the country's disaster relief and quake relief after the 8.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Wenchuan of Sichuan on May 12, 2008.

(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2009)