Beijing and Tokyo both plan summits on establishing an early-warning system
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan told yesterday's post-tsunami summit that an early-warning system based on the model used for the Pacific Ocean is a priority to ensure the Boxing Day cataclysm does not reoccur.
But Sino-Japanese rivalry quickly surfaced at the meeting, with both countries seeking to establish a leadership role in setting up a system for the Indian Ocean and underlining concerns that donors may be working to more than just humanitarian agendas.
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi proposed a special session on the system be held at the UN World Conference on Disaster Reduction, scheduled for January 18-22 in Kobe, where 6,000 died in a major earthquake a decade ago.
Less than two hours later, Premier Wen Jiabao revealed plans for a China-Asean workshop on a warning system, which was scheduled for Beijing on January 25-26.
Mr Wen said experts from Asean, India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and relevant international organisations would be invited to set up an information-exchange system against natural disasters.
A spokesman for Mr Koizumi said Japan had been unaware of the Chinese proposal but that the Kobe session would involve nations and international organisations experienced in dealing with earthquakes and tsunami.