President Putin confirmed that Russia is ready to make the visa-free regime with China permanent, if Beijing sees benefit in it.
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This came at the start of extensive talks between the Russian President and his Chinese counterpart and the delegations of the two countries, ahead of the start of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. President Putin affirmed that cooperation between Russia and China is developing successfully in all areas.
During the meeting, Putin expressed his condolences to the Chinese president for the families and friends of the flood victims in Nepal and Tibet.
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Nepalese Foreign Ministry: More than 323 foreigners rescued during floods
Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the rescue of more than 10,000 people, including more than 323 foreigners, during the floods that struck the country last Wednesday.
The statement on the ministry's website read: "More than 10,000 people have been rescued from the affected areas, including more than 323 foreign nationals." The statement added: "Approximately 590 foreign nationals from 39 countries are still missing."
Floods swept through northern Nepal on Wednesday morning after a powerful current surged from the Chinese side into the Buti-Koshi River. The flooding followed an earthquake and subsequent landslide. Local media previously reported that the death toll from the natural disaster had reached 919.
