China censors scrub videos of Nepal-Tibet border disaster

Distressing security camera footage captured a devastating wave of ice, mud, and water smashing into the Tibet region, obliterating the China-controlled border crossing into Nepal and sending people running for their lives. The harrowing vision provided undeniable proof of the severity of the Himalayan border disaster.

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The distressing vision showed the China-controlled Tibet border crossing into Nepal being completely wiped out, along with dozens of people running for their lives.

However, inside China, the online video disappeared as quickly as it surfaced, a testament to Beijing's active censorship. China's control of information is well-documented, particularly within Tibet, which has been under Beijing's control since the 1950s. State media exclusively distributes government-approved messages, content, and pictures, while communication channels, including social media, are heavily monitored. Content deemed "problematic" by strict government regulations is swiftly restricted or deleted by censors or AI algorithms.

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But inside China the online video disappeared as quickly as it surfaced. Beijing's censors were at work.

Chinese authorities have provided minimal detail about the people affected in the Tibet region, only broadly confirming 558 missing, including 260 foreign nationals, without a breakdown of nationalities. Specific information about affected settlements and villages remains scarce. The top news story on state-operated CCTV's prime-time bulletin was a report on President Xi Jinping's new book launch, which also led the front page of the People's Daily. An article about reopening 800 meters of roads in landslide-stricken areas, accompanied by pictures of rescue teams, appeared at the bottom of the front page.

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China's control of information is well-documented and common, including inside Tibet, which has been under Beijing's control since the 1950s.

In stark contrast, Nepal, where a flash flood from the same disaster has killed hundreds and left many more missing, has seen a different flow of information. Nepali authorities promptly released a detailed breakdown of suspected missing tourists, including their tour companies and nationalities, and have provided rolling updates. The human element of the catastrophe has been placed at the forefront, with individuals sharing their harrowing accounts. This accessibility to personal stories from the ground has been a challenge to replicate from the Tibet side, despite the acknowledged difficulties authorities face in gathering accurate information due to affected communication channels and road access.

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Chinese authorities have provided scant detail of the people affected by in the Tibet region, only broadly confirming that 558 people were missing, including 260 foreign nationals.