5 dead, 24 injured in suspension bridge mishap at China's popular Xinjiang tourist site
The accident happened on Wednesday (Aug 6) at Xiata Scenic Area in Zhaosu county, part of Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture. The site is a popular tourist and hiking destination, known for its natural scenery.
At about 6pm, a bridge suspension cable abruptly gave way, causing the deck to tilt sharply and sending 29 people off the side, state broadcaster CCTV reported. Twenty-four people were injured, two seriously, and all were taken to hospital for treatment.
Footage circulating on Chinese short-video platform Douyin showed the bridge tilted to one side in the aftermath. In one clip, stranded tourists could be seen clinging to the remaining suspended side of the bridge, attempting to cross to safety.
A tour guide based in Xinjiang shared on Douyin that he had been leading a group there at the time of the accident.
"Fortunately, there was a soldier from the navy in our tour group, who immediately went to help the injured," said the tour guide, Yun Shang. He said his group also assisted in rescue efforts and expressed hope for the injured to recover soon.
"We also urge all tourists to pay attention to personal safety while travelling and abide by the rules,' Yun added.
Domestic news outlet Jiemian News identified the bridge as Jiangjun Bridge, reporting that it was involved in a similar incident in 2024, when a suspension cable snapped and caused the deck to tilt. No one was hurt in the incident.
Local officials have temporarily closed Xiata Scenic Area pending safety inspections and an investigation into the cause of the accident, with the reopening date to be announced later.
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CNA
3 days ago
- CNA
5 dead, 24 injured in suspension bridge mishap at China's popular Xinjiang tourist site
ZHAOSU, Xinjiang: Five people have been killed and more than 20 others injured in a suspension bridge mishap at a scenic spot in China's far-western Xinjiang region after a cable reportedly snapped. The accident happened on Wednesday (Aug 6) at Xiata Scenic Area in Zhaosu county, part of Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture. The site is a popular tourist and hiking destination, known for its natural scenery. At about 6pm, a bridge suspension cable abruptly gave way, causing the deck to tilt sharply and sending 29 people off the side, state broadcaster CCTV reported. Twenty-four people were injured, two seriously, and all were taken to hospital for treatment. Footage circulating on Chinese short-video platform Douyin showed the bridge tilted to one side in the aftermath. In one clip, stranded tourists could be seen clinging to the remaining suspended side of the bridge, attempting to cross to safety. A tour guide based in Xinjiang shared on Douyin that he had been leading a group there at the time of the accident. "Fortunately, there was a soldier from the navy in our tour group, who immediately went to help the injured," said the tour guide, Yun Shang. He said his group also assisted in rescue efforts and expressed hope for the injured to recover soon. "We also urge all tourists to pay attention to personal safety while travelling and abide by the rules,' Yun added. Domestic news outlet Jiemian News identified the bridge as Jiangjun Bridge, reporting that it was involved in a similar incident in 2024, when a suspension cable snapped and caused the deck to tilt. No one was hurt in the incident. Local officials have temporarily closed Xiata Scenic Area pending safety inspections and an investigation into the cause of the accident, with the reopening date to be announced later.
Straits Times
25-07-2025
- Straits Times
China must strike delicate balance in its approach towards Thai-Cambodian conflict, say analysts
Smoke is pictured in the air as a multi-rocket launcher is fired near the Cambodia-Thailand border in Oddar Meanchey province, on July 25. CHONGQING – China faces a delicate balancing act as it decides what role it should play in the ongoing border hostilities between Thailand and Cambodia, two Southeast-Asian nations that are its close neighbours and which it wields strong influence over. Analysts told The Straits Times that while the clash, which began on July 24 and has so far reportedly left at least 16 dead, could present an opportunity for China to showcase its leadership in the region, the world's second-largest economy is likely to keep to its traditional approach of having the two countries resolve the matter on their own. It is also likely to first look to Asean as it assesses how it can best help the process along. But that does not mean that China will not attempt to bring both countries to the negotiating table as the conflict is happening in its neighbourhood, said Professor Fan Lei, an expert on China-Asean relations at China's Charhar Institute, a international relations thinktank. Asean is China's largest trading partner, representing 16.6 per cent of the world's second-largest economy's overall foreign trade. Total trade between Asean and China reached 1.71 trillion yuan (S$306.26 billion) in 2024, up 7.1 per cent from 2023. Analysts pointed to how China can play a bigger role in the dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, given that China is both countries' top trading partner, and thus wields strong economic influence over both states. Thailand relies on Chinese imports such as machinery, electronics and vehicles. Chinese visitors are also Thailand's top source of foreign tourists. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore SMRT to pay lower fine of $2.4m for EWL disruption; must invest at least $600k to boost reliability Singapore MRT service changes needed to modify 3 East-West Line stations on Changi Airport stretch: LTA Asia Live: Thailand-Cambodia border clashes continue for second day Singapore Lung damage, poor brain development, addiction: What vaping does to the body Life 'Do you kill children?': Even before independence, S'pore has always loved its over-the-top campaigns Singapore S'pore could have nuclear energy 'within a few years', if it decides on it: UN nuclear watchdog chief Singapore Fine for couple whose catering companies owed $432,000 in salaries to 103 employees Singapore Kopi, care and conversation: How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly Meanwhile, bilateral trade between Cambodia and China grew 26.9 per cent in the first six months of 2025, compared with the same period in 2024, official data from Cambodia showed. China is a major investor in both Thailand and Cambodia in sectors such as electric vehicles, infrastructure and real estate. China also conducts separate military exercises with Cambodia and Thailand. In April, Chinese-sponsored upgrades to Ream Naval Base in Cambodia raised concerns about China's growing footprint in South-east Asia. But China has to tread a delicate balance. On the one hand, 'China may feel that it should not just sit idly by and do nothing if such military conflict is in its neighbourhood', said Associate Professor Li Mingjiang, an expert on Chinese foreign policy and regional security at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. On the other hand, it has to be mindful not to 'leave the impression it is disregarding Asean', said Professor Zhu Feng, dean at the School of International Studies at Nanjing University. Already, countries in South-east Asia are wary of China's expanding influence in the region – and its clashes with the Philippines over maritime territorial claims – as they navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape amid intense US-China rivalry. That is why China is most likely to conduct 'quiet and informal mediation', Prof Li said, adding that he believes 'Chinese diplomats may already be involved in discussions with Cambodia and Thailand, urging them to de-escalate and engage in talks'. Professor Gu Jiayun, vice-dean at the School of Asian Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said: 'It is in China's interest to keep the peace among its neighbours, given that conflict can hurt the region's as well as its own development prospects.' Prof Gu said that both Thailand and Cambodia have 'shown restraint in the clash so far, so they might be looking for an out to start negotiations'. Publicly, Thailand has rejected mediation efforts from third countries to end the ongoing conflict. However, it has signalled that the door will be kept open for Asean to facilitate a return to bilateral negotiations with Cambodia. Phnom Penh has written to the United Nations for help – the first time in more than a decade that an Asean member state has made such a request. The latest border dispute escalated sharply on July 24 after a Thai F-16 fighter jet bombed targets in Cambodia on July 24. Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have been steaming since May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed during a brief exchange of gunfire near the border in north-eastern Thailand. Both countries – which share a long history of border disputes that date back to France's occupation of Cambodia until 1953 – have blamed each other for the latest escalation, and downgraded their diplomatic ties on July 23. During a meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Asean secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn in Beijing on July 25, Mr Wang said that China 'stands ready to continue playing a constructive role in easing tensions (between Thailand and Cambodia) and de-escalating the situation in an impartial and fair manner'. Calling the latest deadly clash 'distressing and concerning', Mr Wang added: 'China appreciates and supports the proactive mediation efforts of the Asean Chair and encourages the 'Asean Way' to promote dialogue and political resolution.' Asean's fundamental principles include mutual respect for the sovereignty of all nations, non-interference in the internal affairs of member states, peaceful settlement of disputes, and renunciation of the threat or use of force. On July 24, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman told reporters at a regular briefing that 'China has and will continue to promote talks (between the two Asean states) for peace in its own way and play a constructive role in promoting de-escalation'. Prof Fan said that China is likely to draw Cambodia and Thailand into negotiations with economic ways. This would be in line with the Chinese government's emphasis on cooperative win-win partnerships and non-interference principles regarding foreign diplomacy that are part of China's Three Global Initiatives, he added. 'It is also a possibility that China might encourage Thailand and Cambodia to resolve their dispute at Hong Kong's new international mediation body,' Prof Fan said. China signed on May 30 a convention to set up an international organisation for mediation in Hong Kong to resolve cross-border disputes among countries and international companies that Beijing hopes can match up to the UN's International Court of Justice. Analysts noted that China's actions will be a test of its diplomatic strength in the region. Prof Li said that China has been signalling that 'it does want to gradually play a slightly larger role in the region' that goes beyond traditional security issues. President Xi's first overseas trip in 2025 amid growing trade tensions with the US was to South-east Asia, where he visited Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam for a week in April. Prof Li said: 'The conflict between Cambodia and Thailand could be an opportunity for China to try out its limited role so far in addressing the security issues in the Mekong region, cautiously, quietly and informally, of course.'
CNA
24-07-2025
- CNA
India resumes visas for Chinese tourists after five years amid thaw in diplomatic tensions
NEW DELHI/BEIJING: India will start issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals from Thursday (Jul 24) for the first time in five years - marking a significant thaw between the two Asian giants after a deadly border clash deeply strained relations. According to an official notice shared online by the Embassy of India in China, applicants must complete an online form before booking an in-person appointment to submit required documents at its embassy in Beijing or consulates in Shanghai and Guangzhou. It follows China's gradual resumption of visas for Indian nationals in recent years, including tourist visas in March this year. Some reports said that Chinese Embassy and consulate offices had issued 85,000 visas from January to Apr 9, without indicating the category of visas. Beijing has welcomed the 'positive' move by India. Speaking on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China was 'ready to maintain communication and consultation with India to further facilitate travel between the two countries'. An opinion piece published on Thursday by the state-owned Global Times tabloid called it 'a positive development' but said there was 'still a lot that the Indian side can do'. It noted that India had imposed 'relatively high thresholds' for Chinese tourists applying for visas, such as providing bank statements over the past six months to show a minimum balance of 100,000 yuan (US$13,966). 'These requirements not only fall short of the visa standards from five years ago but also clearly lag behind the global trend of streamlining visa policies and facilitating cross-border travel,' Global Times wrote. 'India should do more to build mutual trust, bridge perception gaps, and foster goodwill among the two peoples,' it said, adding that it was also important to see if India would take 'more substantial steps', such as improving visa approval rates, tourist services and safety, and the possible relaxation of visa requirements in the future. 04:50 Min The world's two most populous nations share a 3,800 km border that has been heavily disputed since the 1950s. Tensions escalated following a June 2020 military clash that resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers. The clash led to a military standoff with both armies deploying tens of thousands of troops in the mountains as well as both countries to suspend flights, investments and visa services to each other during the pandemic. Negotiations to settle the dispute made slow progress. But relations have gradually improved, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Russia last October. Last month, both countries' foreign ministries announced a mutual agreement to expedite the resumption of direct air services and step up communication. China resumed visa services for Indian students and business travellers in 2022 while tourist visas for Indian nationals remained restricted until March this year, when both countries agreed to resume direct air service. Modi is also expected to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin next month, which would mark his first visit to China since 2018.
