President Xi Jinping said on Monday that China is making every effort to search for Chinese and foreign nationals who are missing in last week's mudslide disaster in Xizang.

The president made the remarks when he met with his Kyrgyz counterpart Sadyr Japarov in Bishkek.

Authorities in Nepal said the disaster has claimed at least 903 lives in the country while the number of missing soared to 4,247, among them 592 foreigners, as rescue efforts entered a sixth day.

In China, 16 people were confirmed dead and 546 were missing.

Xi said China is taking all necessary measures to relocate and resettle those affected, provide medical treatment for the injured and prevent secondary disasters.

He also said Beijing has sent rescuers to Nepal and provided emergency assistance.

Nepal is facing an "unimaginable and heartbreaking" disaster with authorities struggling to assess the full scale of the devastating floods, Prime Minister Balendra Shah said.

"Our country has been facing an unimaginable and heartbreaking natural disaster," Shah said in a social media post.

"The devastating floods in the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa have made it extremely difficult to collect a complete account of the loss of life, property, and infrastructure.

"Although this task remains challenging due to adverse weather, difficult terrain, and ongoing risks, we are moving forward with determination to protect the lives of the citizens."

During his meeting with Japarov, Xi also spoke about closer China-Kyrgyzstan cooperation.

Xi said major cooperation projects with Kyrgyzstan, including the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, have progressed steadily in recent years, providing effective support for the development of both countries, benefiting their people and promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

The two leaders signed a bilateral treaty on permanent good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation.

They also witnessed the exchange of bilateral cooperation documents after their talks.

Xi arrived in Bishkek on Sunday for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2026 and a state visit to Kyrgyzstan. (Xinhua and agencies)



Edited by Edmond Fong