国内英语新闻:Macao's preparation for Typhoon Mangkhut proves effective: chief executive

MACAO, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Macao's civil protection response to Typhoon Mangkhut achieved the expected results, and was effective to minimise the negative impact of the storm on the community, the special administrative region (SAR)'s chief executive said here on Tuesday.

The SAR Chief Executive Chui Sai On presided a meeting at the Civil Protection Operations Centre to assess the results of work carried out by the civil protection management team in dealing with two recent storms, in particular Typhoon Mangkhut.

He asked the civil protection management team to further enhance the SAR's overall emergency response capabilities, in order to reduce disruption caused by public emergencies to people's everyday lives.

As a result, there were no significant typhoon-related economic losses, injuries or damage. Typhoon Mangkhut caused the suspension of electricity and water supply to some neighbourhoods, and flooding in some of low-lying areas, he added.

Chui mentioned a number of ways further to optimise Macao's emergency response capabilities, including: reinforcing existing infrastructure; speeding up construction of an internal barrier alongside the Inner Harbour, in order to strengthen flood control in the near term; and enhancing training for the team responsible for the SAR's civil protection system.

The chief executive also extended his gratitude, on behalf of the SAR government and himself, to civil servants including those in the civil protection system for their dedication to protect the safety of the public.