**China Calls for Strengthened Disaster‑Response Mechanism with Nepal After Bhotekoshi Flood**
*Kathmandu, Aug. 27* – In the wake of the flash flood that devastated the Bhotekoshi River area on Wednesday, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming told NTV World that both nations need a more robust framework for coordinated disaster response.
**Background and Immediate Response**
According to the ambassador, an earthquake on the Nepal side of the Gyirong‑Rasuwagadhi border triggered an ice avalanche and subsequent mudslides, causing casualties and missing persons on both the Nepalese and Chinese sides of the border. The incident prompted the Chinese Embassy in Nepal to activate its emergency response mechanism, assess the situation of Chinese citizens and enterprises in the affected zones, and request Nepalese authorities to intensify rescue operations.
“The Chinese side is deeply saddened by this very unfortunate natural disaster,” Zhang said. “We extend our deepest condolences to those who lost their lives and our sincere sympathies to the bereaved families, as well as to the Government and people of Nepal.”
China has begun providing emergency supplies and cash assistance to Nepal, despite suffering “significant losses” on its own side of the border. A Chinese working team was dispatched to the affected area to coordinate on‑ground rescue efforts.
**High‑Level Guidance**
President Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader, issued instructions emphasizing the priority of locating missing persons, sheltering those at risk, treating the injured, and minimizing further casualties. Xi also called for strengthened monitoring, early‑warning systems, and science‑based rescue operations to prevent secondary disasters.
Following the disaster, H. E. Zhang Guoqing — a member of the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee Political Bureau and Vice Premier of the State Council — led officials from relevant ministries to the Tibet Autonomous Region (Xizang) to oversee rescue and response activities. Chinese ministries, including Foreign Affairs, Water Resources, Meteorology, and Emergency Management, have established coordination mechanisms with their Nepalese counterparts to assess the disaster, conduct search and rescue, and formulate follow‑up plans.
**Ambassador’s Recommendations for Future Cooperation**
Ambassador Zhang outlined three areas where Nepal and China could deepen collaboration to mitigate the impact of similar events:
1. **Information Sharing and Early Warning** – Enhance joint monitoring of meteorological, hydrological, and geological hazards and develop mechanisms for cross‑border disaster alerts to enable early detection and response.
2. **Communication and Institutional Coordination** – Improve emergency rescue coordination and institutional frameworks to ensure swift, joint action during sudden disasters.
3. **Training and Technical Exchange** – Expand personnel training, technical exchanges, and the provision of emergency supplies to bolster local disaster‑prevention and response capacities.
**Outlook**
Zhang reiterated the long‑standing friendship between the neighboring countries, noting that they share “mountains and rivers.” He affirmed that China stands ready to continue providing assistance to Nepal as needed, aiming to enhance both nations’ ability to protect lives and property from natural disasters.
Article and image source: risingnepaldaily.com
