FM Khanal talks with China's Wang

 Kathmandu, Aug. 29

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal held a telephone conversation with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi held on Saturday, and discussed the ongoing search, rescue and relief operations in the flood-affected areas.

According to the Minister's secretariat, the two leaders discussed the repatriation and rescue of Nepali citizens stranded in China due to the floods. Foreign Minister Khanal, through Minister Wang, expressed his gratitude to the Government of China for the emergency humanitarian relief and assistance it has provided at this difficult time.

The talks also covered ways to make the real-time exchange of hydrological and meteorological data between Nepal and China more effective.

"Both sides stressed the need to enhance cooperation in developing effective early-warning systems to reduce the risk of such disasters in the future and to further strengthen existing mechanisms between the two countries," read a statement from the Ministry.

They also discussed the need for continued coordination and cooperation to make disaster management, information sharing and early-warning systems between Nepal and China more effective.

During the call, both leaders expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property caused by the devastating floods in the Rasuwagadhi–Gyirong port area in both countries. They paid tribute to those who lost their lives and expressed condolences to the bereaved families.

Meanwhile, the Embassy of China in Kathmandu, said that Chinese expert teams have always made every effort, within the limits of existing technologies, to conduct monitoring, assessment and analysis, and have shared important information with the Nepali side in a timely manner.
Issuing a statement in response to recent comments in media accusing China of failing to warn Nepal of the mudslide disaster, the Embassy said that, on August 26, the China Meteorological Administration held an urgent virtual meeting with the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology of Nepal to assess the disaster situation and share data simultaneously.

"China is currently continuing to share hydrometeorological information with Nepal, including monitoring data on the barrier lake, to jointly support disaster relief and prevention efforts. The China Meteorological Administration has provided Nepal with preliminary customized services under the 'MAZU' - the Chinese Intelligent Meteorological Early Warning Solution, enhancing the two countries' capacity to respond to transboundary disasters," read the statement.

It highlighted the importance and sincere attitude of China to Nepal's needs for disaster prevention cooperation, and said, "We are confident that exchanges and cooperation between Nepal and China in these areas will be further deepened, better safeguarding the safety and well-being of the people of our two countries."

Citing the research findings by Chinese and international experts, the Embassy said that risk points in the Himalayan region are highly dispersed. A large number of glacial lakes and ice-rock masses are located in high-altitude frigid zones at elevations of 4,000 to 5,000 meters or above, where routine ground surveys by personnel cannot achieve the same comprehensive coverage as in low-altitude areas.

"Furthermore, image errors on steep slopes and high-precision monitoring over vast and complex terrains remain international challenges," it said. 

Published in The Rising Nepal on 30 August 2026.