China provided satellite images of fire fronts in Victoria's bushfire affected areas, in support of Australia's fire fighting operation.

The unprecedented bushfire that raged parts of Victoria earlier this month claimed a tragic loss of life and property.

Relief efforts immediately unfolded. The Australian Cooperative Research Center for Spatial Information made an emergency request to the Chinese Embassy in Australia, asking for Chinese satellite data and images to facilitate fire fighting. The Chinese Embassy responded swiftly and a quick decision was made by competent Chinese government agencies to extend assistance.

Scientists in the National Disaster Reduction Center of China, China Center for Earth Observation and Digital Earth and China Center for Resource Satellite Data and Application were immediately mobilized. Satellites were repositioned to collect data. And a large number of high definition images of fire fronts and analytical results were delivered to Australia in short notice, which proved valuable for fire fighting in Victoria.

To better facilitate cooperation, the Chinese Ambassador in Australia, H.E Mr. Zhang Junsai visited the Australian Cooperative Research Center for Spatial Information, located in UNSW, on 17 February. Ambassador Zhang was warmly received by Prof Frederick Hilmer, Vice-Chancellor and President of UNSW, Prof Mary O'Kane, NSW Chief Scientist and Scientific Engineer and Chairman of the CRC for Spatial Information Board, Prof Mark Wainwright, Chairman of the Australia-China Council, and Mr Michael Hartmann, CEO of the Cooperative Research Centre Association. They expressed appreciation for China's provision of satellite images to Australia.

Prof Hilmer said that Australia and China have maintained sound cooperation in science and technology. The provision of satellite data for Victoria's bushfire relief stands as one of the best models in this cooperative relationship.

Prof Mary O'Kane commended the long-standing and productive cooperation between the Australian Cooperative Research Center for Spatial Information and the China Center for Earth Observation and Digital Earth, particularly during the recent bushfire relief.

Chairman Mark Wainwright said with this successful cooperation in disaster relief, the Australia-China Council will attach more importance to bilateral exchange and cooperation in science and technology in addition to cultural and educational relations.

Ambassador Zhang applauded the close cooperation between the two countries. He mentioned the generous assistance from the Australian Government and people in the wake of the Sichuan earthquake last year and the similar feelings the Chinese people have towards the bushfire victims in Victoria. The provision of fire front images and similar cooperation will strengthen friendship between the two peoples and open up a broad prospect of bilateral cooperation in science and technology. He said the two governments and scientific communities should work together and achieve better results in science and technology cooperation to the benefit of the two peoples.

Australian scientists told Ambassador Zhang that the Chinese satellite images had a wide coverage and were clear, accurate and up-to-date. They offered important reference to Australia's fire fighting operation and greatly improved efficiency.