China Says It Is Coordinating with Nepal on Search and Rescue, Ready to Provide Emergency Assistance

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Nayapage

2026-08-28 15:47

Kathmandu: China has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property caused by floods and landslides in Nepal, saying it is maintaining close contact and coordination with Nepal on search and rescue operations. The Chinese Foreign Ministry also said China is ready to provide emergency assistance based on Nepal’s needs.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a regular press conference on Thursday, expressing China’s sincere condolences to the Nepalese government and people affected by the disasters. He said both China and Nepal have suffered significant casualties and property damage, with many people still missing.

According to Lin, China and Nepal are maintaining continuous communication and coordination on search and rescue efforts. He said China is also prepared to provide emergency assistance according to Nepal’s needs.

Spokesperson Lin said the Chinese government had given high priority to rescue and relief efforts following the landslide that struck the Gyirong port area in China’s Gyirong County on August 26.

Following the disaster, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China and president of China, issued immediate instructions to mobilize all available resources for search and rescue, evacuate people at risk to safety, provide immediate medical treatment to the injured and minimize casualties, Lin said.

Xi also called for stronger monitoring and early-warning systems to prevent further disasters and for rescue operations to be carried out in an orderly manner, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang also instructed authorities to promptly determine the number of missing and affected people and intensify search, rescue and relief efforts. He also called for people at risk to be evacuated to safe locations quickly and in an organized manner, Lin said.

Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, accompanied by officials from relevant departments, has traveled to the affected area to oversee rescue and disaster-response operations, China said.

Relevant Chinese authorities have activated a Level-II national emergency response for disaster relief, while the Xizang Autonomous Region has activated a Level-I emergency response to the natural disaster.

Rescue teams from the military, armed police, border inspection authorities, fire and rescue services and other relevant agencies have been deployed to the affected areas to carry out search and rescue operations.

260 Foreign Nationals Missing in China

According to the latest figures released by Chinese authorities, 260 foreign nationals remain unaccounted for in the affected areas. China said efforts are underway to verify further details due to the difficult conditions at the disaster site.

Lin said the nationality of those affected was not the priority for Chinese rescuers, emphasizing that every human life is precious. He said China is maintaining contact with the relevant foreign embassies in China to provide information on affected nationals and coordinate assistance.

Around 100 Chinese Nationals Missing in Nepal

China also said that around 100 Chinese nationals remain missing in Nepal. The Chinese Embassy in Nepal is coordinating with the Nepalese side to verify further details about their whereabouts, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The embassy has urged Chinese nationals in Nepal to remain vigilant and move to safe locations to avoid potential risks from further landslides, floods and other hazards.

The Chinese Embassy in Nepal is also available 24 hours a day to provide assistance to Chinese nationals in need, spokesperson Lin said.

China reiterated that it is ready to provide necessary assistance to Nepal’s ongoing search, rescue and relief operations based on Nepal’s needs, and said it will continue close communication and coordination with Nepal.