BEIJING: President Xi Jinping on Friday sent a message of condolences to Nepali President Ram Chandra Poudel over a mudslide disaster that hit Nepal recently.
In his message, Xi noted that a severe mudslide disaster occurred recently at the Gyirong-Rasuwa border crossing between China and Nepal, causing heavy casualties, leaving people missing and resulting in property losses.
On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi expressed deep condolences to the victims and sincere sympathies to the bereaved families, the injured and people in the disaster-stricken areas.
Xi noted that China is making every effort to search for and rescue missing persons, relocate and resettle affected people, provide prompt medical treatment to the injured, minimize casualties and prevent secondary disasters. China and Nepal, Xi said, are connected by mountains and rivers and share a common destiny, adding that China is ready to actively assist Nepal in its rescue efforts and provide support and assistance to the best of its capability.
Xi also expressed his belief that both peoples will be able to work together to overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes as soon as possible. On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Qiang sent a message of condolences to Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah.
Earlier, Rescue efforts were ramped up on Thursday at the Gyirong border port in Shigatse, Xizang autonomous region, after a massive mudslide in Nepal caused extensive damage to the port area on Wednesday. As of press time on Thursday, three people had been reported killed, 558 others remained missing, and two local villagers had been rescued. Among the missing were 260 foreign nationals.
After the mudslide struck Gyirong, a major land port linking China and Nepal, at around 10:30 am on Wednesday, Chinese authorities activated emergency response mechanisms and scaled up the deployment of rescue teams, equipment and relief supplies to assist those who have been affected.
Entrusted by President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang led a group of senior officials from relevant departments to guide and oversee relief operations after arriving in the mudslide-hit area on Thursday afternoon. They also visited affected residents and rescue workers.
On Thursday, a guidance team of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Western Theater Command arrived at a high-altitude airport in Xizang aboard a Y-20 transport aircraft to join local rescue efforts, with more than 500 personnel, four helicopters and multiple drones deployed, according to China Central Television. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
