MAC Press Release No. 048
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated that a 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit Jishishan County, Linxia Prefecture, Gansu Province of mainland China late last night (December 18, 2023), killing more than 100 people in Gansu and Qinghai and causing partial damage to water, power, and transportation infrastructure. The government has conveyed condolences to the relevant parties in mainland China through existing cross-Strait liaison mechanisms. Given that victims of the disaster face severe hardships sheltering outdoors in the extreme cold winter temperatures, Taiwan is willing to provide necessary assistance in hopes that the losses can be minimized and that the victims can return to normal life as soon as possible. The MAC also asked the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) to promptly gather information about any Taiwanese citizens potentially trapped or injured in the area. Those in need of assistance may contact the SEF through its Emergency Service Hotline at: 02-2533-9995.
With ongoing aftershocks in the affected areas, the government will continue to closely monitor the latest earthquake information and actual situation and promptly inform the Taiwanese public of any developments. It also advises Taiwanese citizens in mainland China to stay safe.