Xi Offers Condolences After Border Landslide Kills Hundreds, as China Stresses Nepal Origin
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Aug 28
Xi Offers Condolences After Border Landslide Kills Hundreds, as China Stresses Nepal Origin
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Aug 28
Summary
Xi Jinping sent his first message since Wednesday’s disaster to Nepal’s president, offering condolences over hundreds of deaths and pledging Chinese support for Nepal’s relief and rebuilding.
Chinese officials simultaneously framed the event as originating in Nepal, saying a high-altitude avalanche there surged along the Gyirong Tsangpo into China before turning back and devastating Nepali villages.
Satellite imagery reviewed by The New York Times also pointed to a glacier collapse on Nepal’s Langtang Lirung, while Beijing rejected online accusations that China failed to warn residents or worsened risks through Tibetan dam building.
China has confirmed 5 deaths and 558 missing in Tibet, but released little detail as independent journalists remain barred from the region and social platforms censor unsanctioned images and videos.