Beijing (AFP) – China’s foreign ministry insists the country has been “open, transparent and timely” in its release of information on the catastrophic flooding and landslides that hit parts of Nepal and Tibet. Asked about international reports that Beijing is censoring images of the disaster and underreporting deaths, spokesperson Guo Jiakun says “malicious smearing and sensationalism using the disaster situation will not receive popular support.” Chinese police say they have penalised 10 people, who are accused of spreading misinformation, with some suggesting that the number of dead or missing is much higher than official figures show.
