China vows to continue search for missing Latvians after debris flow

China will make every effort to continue search and rescue operations for missing Latvian and other foreign nationals after a deadly debris flow disaster affecting Nepal and China's Xizang autonomous region, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday.

Wang made the remarks during a phone conversation with Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze, who said 33 Latvian citizens had gone missing in the disaster.

Wang said a sudden ice-and-rock collapse on the Nepali side triggered a debris flow that caused major casualties and left people missing in Gyirong county in Xizang.

Latvia has the largest number of missing nationals among European countries, he said.

Faced with this sudden tragedy, Wang once again extended sincere sympathies to Latvia, especially to the families of those missing.

China is treating Chinese and foreign nationals alike and carrying out all-out rescue efforts, he said, adding that China would continue to do its utmost to search for missing Latvian and other foreign nationals and properly handle follow-up matters.

Braze thanked China for providing updates on the disaster, carrying out search and rescue operations and expressing sympathies to the families of those missing.

She said Latvia was willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China in handling follow-up work.

Turning to bilateral ties, Wang said China was among the first countries to recognize Latvia's independence.

China's unilateral visa-free policy for Latvian citizens reflects its trust in Latvia and has facilitated more frequent people-to-people exchanges, while practical cooperation between the two countries has continued to expand, Wang said.

China is willing to work with Latvia to take the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to inject new impetus into bilateral relations, he added.

Braze told Wang that Latvia looks forward to strengthening communication and exchanges with China and further advancing their relations.