Bangladesh should maintain all safety measures and strictly follow the building codes in constructing buildings in both rural and urban areas to minimise possible damage and human casualties caused by any strong earthquake, according to a Chinese expert.

"Nobody can stop earthquakes from its natural happening. But we can try our best to minimise the damage and casualties," said Dr Jian Qiu, chief planner of the Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development in Sichuan Province of China.

Talking to visiting journalists from Bangladesh and Nepal in Chengdu, the Chinese expert said creating awareness among ordinary people and teaching them how to escape danger zones and where to go  during earthquakes were also important to reduce possible casualties.

Describing the experience of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, Jian Qui said he knew Bangladesh was at high risk of earthquakes. "When I was doing my PhD in the UK 20 years back, I discussed the issue with my friends from Bangladesh and Pakistan."

About the pre-cautionary measures, he said all must avoid the "fracture point" areas while building settlements or reconstructing buildings. "No matter how solid the structure is, there is no use as it will be broken during earthquakes if the fracture points are not avoided."

The country should explore all the aspects in making urban and rural planning to make sure everyone is living in a "relatively safer" place, he said.

Jian Qui suggested avoiding building construction or reconstruction in

flood-prone areas, as it fuels a certain degree of flooding due to earthquakes.

Describing their own experiences and based on their studies, the urban and rural planner said, "We understand, the buildings as long as these are built with certain standards, the destruction will not be big enough and damage will not be fatal or catastrophic."

Emphasising education and awareness campaign, he said education was very important.

"You need to raise awareness among ordinary people to increase their understanding and knowledge about earthquakes. We have to teach them techniques on how to escape and how to stay strong mentally."

Deputy Director of Department of Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs under the Sichuan Provincial Government, Zhang Wenpeng, and journalists from Bangladesh and Nepal were present at the press interaction.

The officials shared the experiences of post-disaster reconstruction in Sichuan Province, potentials of tourism in the province, and how trade and economic cooperation between the province and countries like Bangladesh and Nepal can be boosted in the days to come.