Kathmandu: Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha received the earthquake relief materials dispatched by the Chinese government on Wednesday. Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, handed the emergency dispatches from China to the Deputy Prime Minister amidst a program at Pokhara Regional International Airport. The relief materials include blankets, tarpaulins and so on. Two aircraft from Chengdu Airport in China landed in Pokhara Airport with the assistance. During the program, the Deputy Prime Minister said China has been always with Nepal during each crisis. The Nepal-China relation is based on sovereignty, independence and mutual benefits and interests, he said. He recalled the significant support from China during the 2015 major earthquake and Covid-19 pandemic. The ambassador said Nepal and China have a friendly relation and they have each other’s supporters during crisis, too. He expressed his sorrow over the November 3 earthquake with its epicenter in Jarjarkot.
A day after the earthquake on November 4, Chinese President Xi Jinping had sent a message of condolence to Nepali president Ram Chandra Paudel. In his message, Xi said he was shocked to learn of the strong earthquake in Nepal’s Karnali Province, which caused heavy casualties and property losses. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi expressed deep condolences for the deceased, offered sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured, and wished the injured a speedy recovery. Xi had said China is willing to provide necessary disaster assistance to Nepal. On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Qiang also extended condolences to Nepali PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
Comment