China’s Significant Support During Disaster, Foreign Minister Expresses Gratitude

Kathmandu : Following the devastating floods and landslides in Nepal, neighbouring China has intensified its support for rescue and relief operations.

China’s assistance has not only strengthened rescue and relief efforts but has also provided greater confidence in managing displaced people and supporting future reconstruction.

Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal has expressed gratitude for China’s support. During a meeting with the Chinese ambassador, Khanal thanked China for its assistance and stressed the need for the two countries to work together in addressing natural disasters.

Referring to the damage caused by the floods on both the Nepali and Chinese sides, Minister Khanal expressed expectations for additional Chinese support in the affected areas. He said that because foreign nationals, including Chinese citizens, were also caught in the disaster, their search, rescue and relief had been given priority.

The open discussion between the Foreign Minister and the ambassador also helped address some concerns and misconceptions that had emerged earlier. Questions had previously been raised in Parliament over whether the floods were natural or human-induced, as well as over the safety of projects and citizens in the affected areas.

The two sides have placed particular emphasis on close consultations, coordination and cooperation.

Chinese teams have been deployed in flood-affected areas with rescue personnel and relief supplies. In the latest phase, DNA identification experts and water purification equipment have also arrived in Nepal.

China’s Continued Support During Disasters

China’s assistance to Nepal during times of disaster is not new.

Since the devastating earthquake of 2015, China has provided assistance to Nepal on various occasions, including during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Melamchi floods.

Following the devastating floods that affected the Bhote Koshi area and the Nepal-China border region, China has expanded its rescue and relief assistance to Nepal.

On August 30, two Chinese Air Force Y-20 large military transport aircraft arrived in Kathmandu. They brought around 50 tonnes of emergency relief supplies, rescue equipment and a team of experts specialising in tunnel rescue operations for flood-affected areas.

A second shipment of relief materials arrived from China on September 1. It included drones, DNA testing equipment and reagents, water purification systems and lighting equipment. Five DNA identification experts also arrived in Nepal to work with Nepali authorities in disaster-affected areas.

China has also provided Nepal with US$2 million in emergency flood relief assistance. In addition, the Chinese Red Cross contributed US$200,000 to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.

Along with relief materials and financial assistance, China has said it is providing Nepal with satellite and regional imagery as well as hydrological and meteorological information to support disaster response.

On September 3, China sent a third shipment of assistance to Nepal aboard a Y-20A large-capacity cargo aircraft operated by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force. A 10-member team of Chinese forensic experts also arrived in Nepal as part of the subsequent phase of assistance.

China’s response to disasters in Nepal has therefore expanded in different stages, reflecting a broader approach beyond immediate relief.

A Different Kind of Cross-Border Disaster

The current disaster, however, is different from previous emergencies because it has affected both Nepal and China, particularly in the border region.

For this reason, the latest Chinese assistance needs to extend beyond immediate relief to include rescue operations, identification of victims, information sharing and future reconstruction.

The current disaster also presents an opportunity to take Nepal-China cooperation beyond emergency relief and toward long-term disaster management and risk reduction.