Xi urges all-out rescue, relief efforts after mudslide hits border port in Xizang

BEIJING, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out efforts to search and rescue people who are missing after a mudslide in Nepal caused casualties at Gyirong border port in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region on Wednesday morning. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called for efforts to evacuate residents at risk and provide timely medical treatment to the injured to minimize casualties. He made the instructions after a mudslide occurred at around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday in Nepal, which caused severe casualties and left people unaccounted for at Gyirong border port in Gyirong County. Xi also stressed the need to strengthen monitoring and early warning, ensure scientific rescue operations and guard against secondary disasters. Noting that China is currently in a critical period of flood control, he urged local authorities and relevant departments to prepare for worst-case scenarios and extreme situations, fully implement measures for flood and typhoon prevention, and step up efforts to identify and address potential risks and hazards. He demanded resolute action to prevent major and catastrophic disasters and accidents and safeguard people's lives and property. Premier Li Qiang also issued instructions, calling for an immediate verification of the number of the missing and affected people and for all-out rescue and relief efforts. Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, instructed the Foreign Ministry to strengthen communication and coordination with relevant countries, promptly share information and work together to properly handle rescue and relief efforts. Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, led officials from relevant departments to the site to guide rescue and disaster-response operations. Authorities in Xizang have mobilized forces to carry out search and rescue operations. All relevant operations are underway.