Chinese Government Penalizes Individuals for Spreading Rumors about Disaster

The Chinese Communist Party announced on Monday that it had imposed “administration penalties” on ten individuals over the past week, citing accusations of spreading “online rumors” and “misinformation” concerning the ongoing mudslide and flooding disaster in Tibet.

This confirmation follows reports that the Chinese government has censored some of the most distressing footage showing mudslides devastating entire communities, infrastructure, and roads in both Nepal and Tibet. Critics argue that Beijing is attempting to obscure the true extent of the damage in Tibet.

Nepal and Tibet faced a sudden influx of ice, mud, rocks, and water cascading down the Himalayan mountains beginning Wednesday, following unprecedented heavy rainfall. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) noted the next day that the event appeared to be a result of a “glacial collapse.” Tragically, this disaster unfolded during an ongoing Hindu pilgrimage in Nepal, leaving many citizens from various countries trapped, with hundreds still unaccounted for. As of Monday, the Nepalese government has reported over 900 confirmed fatalities and at least 4,700 individuals missing. In contrast, Chinese authorities have only confirmed 546 missing individuals and a surprising 16 deaths as of Sunday.

The Chinese government has expressed concern that rescue operations are being hindered by online speculation suggesting that the official casualty numbers do not align with the severity depicted in videos of the devastation. According to the state-run Global Times, at least ten instances of “online rumors” related to the mudslides in Tibet have been addressed by China’s cybersecurity police. While the specific punishments meted out to the individuals were not detailed, their alleged offenses were noted.

One example included an internet user with the surname Qiu, who speculated without evidence that “the news says 1,400 people were killed, but actually 3,000 had gone missing.” Some individuals were also accused of exaggerating casualty figures or inventing stories about the number of people affected, thereby distorting the actual scale of the disaster.

It seems the Chinese government is particularly focused on individuals who challenge the official casualty figures. Tibet has been under Chinese control for decades, with authorities enforcing policies that suppress Tibetan identity. Recently, the regime has faced criticism for exploiting the local population through various oppressive measures. This control has led many to scrutinize how the situation is being managed in Tibet amid the floods.

Zoë Bedford, executive officer of the Australia Tibet Council, noted that for China, every aspect related to Tibet has a political dimension. “What they fear is that people will hear Tibetan voices and grasp the extent of China’s development endeavors and environmental interventions in Tibet,” she said.

Tencho Gyatso, president of the International Campaign for Tibet, conveyed to the U.K. Guardian that sources on the ground suggest that China’s official casualty counts are likely much lower than reality.

He remarked, “What is visible in Nepal reveals what is hidden in Tibet. Four villages—Sale, Serchung, Labi, and Rizi—suffered immense destruction, with around 300 homes gone and many people still unaccounted for.” Gyatso added that the Chinese narrative presents the situation as if the disaster only occurred in Nepal, ignoring the significant crisis across the border. “They maintain that there is no crisis, asserting control regardless,” she added.

International media has suggested that videos showing the floods circulating on global social media platforms are not available on Chinese counterparts, where only state propaganda videos featuring rescue operations are reportedly accessible.

During a press conference, the Chinese Foreign Ministry addressed questions regarding censorship and voiced exasperation at those disseminating “disinformation.” Spokesman Guo Jiakun stated that rescue operations are ongoing and that China has been transparent regarding information. “Disinformation is unwelcome during a disaster response,” he asserted.

Guo also refuted claims suggesting that the Chinese government was obstructing rescue and recovery efforts. In response to accusations from Indian media linking Chinese construction projects to landslide risks, he insisted that in times of such tragedies, unfounded speculation is unwarranted. He denied reports that China had withheld surveillance or intelligence support from Nepal, affirming, “We have been sharing meteorological and hydrological data and will continue to assist Nepal.”