Xinhua News Agency, Kathmandu, September 4th. Exclusive interview｜"The support given to us by the Chinese government is all-round!" - Interview with Nepali Foreign Minister Hisir
Xinhua News Agency reporters Zou Xuemian Zhang Ping Liu Tian
Nepalese Foreign Minister Hisir said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency reporters in Nepal's capital Kathmandu that after the severe mudslide disaster occurred in Nepal, China provided timely financial, material, technical and personnel support to Nepal. "The support given to us by the Chinese government is all-round!"
On August 26, a sudden glacier collapse in the border area of Nepal triggered a serious mudslide disaster, causing heavy casualties and loss of contact between China and Nepal. According to a report issued by Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction Administration, as of 12:30 local time on the 4th, 1,287 bodies of victims have been found in landslide-stricken areas of the country, and another 5,083 people have been missing.
Hisir said that after the disaster, President Xi Jinping and President Baudel exchanged messages of condolences, and other leaders of the two countries also exchanged messages subsequently. China expressed its support for Nigeria at all levels. Based on actual needs, Nigeria made requests for material and technical support from China, and China responded positively. “I sincerely thank the Chinese government for its active support.”
A few days ago, the Chinese government provided emergency cash assistance and humanitarian assistance to Nepal. The first batch of 50 tons of disaster relief materials arrived in Kathmandu on August 30. Two batches of Chinese rescue teams composed of tunnel rescue experts have rushed to the front line of disaster-stricken areas in Nepal. On September 1, five DNA identification experts also arrived in Kathmandu together with China's second batch of emergency aid supplies.
Hisir said that China continues to provide Nigeria with information on potential risks in the disaster area and shares satellite monitoring and other relevant data. The barrier lake formed after the disaster still puts some areas in Nigeria at risk of a new round of mudslides. The information provided by China will help Nigeria assess dangerous situations in a timely manner and remain alert to possible secondary disasters.
Hisir said that in the past few days, the Nepalese government has continued to carry out search and rescue operations in the disaster-stricken areas, but the rescue work has been very difficult. Roads and bridges leading to the disaster-stricken areas have been severely damaged. Land transportation in some areas has been completely interrupted, making it difficult for large rescue equipment to enter. Despite facing many difficulties, all parties are continuing to search and rescue the trapped people.
Hisir said that Nepal-China border trade is prosperous and people-to-people exchanges are close. Hundreds of affected Nepalese citizens who are on the Chinese side for business, tourism and other reasons have been properly taken care of by China. Nepal will also provide support to the affected Chinese citizens on the Nepalese side at any time.
Hisir also said that Nigeria and China are connected by mountains and rivers and share a common destiny. "In this disaster, we have more clearly seen how close the connection between the two countries is, and both sides must work together to deal with the disaster."
Hisir expressed the hope that both Nepal and China will continue to deepen their research on the Himalayan ecosystem in the future, and jointly call on countries at the regional and global levels to respond to the challenges brought about by rising temperatures and climate change, protect mountain ecosystems, and prevent similar risks that may occur in the future.
"The ecosystems of the Himalayas are our shared future," Sisir said. (over)
