By TRN Online, Kathmandu, May 9: Chinese embassy in Nepal has instructed Chinese nationals in Nepal to strictly abide by the laws and regulations and the lockdown measures adopted in Nepal.

"The Chinese side has always demanded that the Chinese citizens in Nepal should strictly abide by the laws and regulations of Nepal, express reasonable demands rationally and in accordance with the laws," said spokesperson of the Chinese embassy in Nepal in response to a question about the detention of the Chinese citizens in Nepal after they staged protest yesterday on May 8, flouting lockdown measures.

The spokesperson also said, "In consultation and cooperation with the Chinese Embassy in Nepal and the Nepali police, the incident has been properly dealt with".

The spokesperson added that the embassy had been reminding Chinese nationals to cooperate with the measures, avoid unnecessary going out and wait patiently for the lift on flight suspension.

Nearly four dozen Chinese nationals, especially tourists, had staged a protest in front of Singha Durbar, the central secretariat of the government, demanding special arrangement for them to return to their home as they were stranded due to lockdown in Nepal. The police had arrested them as they demonstrated in the prohibited area.

"In regard to the lockdown implemented by the Nepali side during the pandemic of COVID-19, the Chinese Embassy has repeatedly reminded the Chinese citizens to cooperate with the measures, avoid unnecessary going out and wait patiently for the lift on flight suspension," the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile we requested the Nepali side to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese citizens, the Chinese embassy said.

Due to the large number of the Chinese citizens stranded in Nepal, the Chinese side has coordinated and arranged temporary flights to take about 340 persons with difficulties back to China, according to the embassy spokesperson.

"We would like to express gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Civil Aviation Authority, Department of Tourism, Department of Immigration, Customs, Police and other departments of Nepal for their great assistance."

Due to limited flight capacity, many Chinese citizens are still stranded in Nepal.

Especially when the Nepali side announced to suspend regular international flights until May 31^st, these Chinese citizens expressed their appeals for returning home through various channels. We will maintain communication with the Nepali side.

At this difficult time for the pandemic, we believe that China and Nepal can understand each other and jointly handle various incidents caused by the lockdown measures, the spokesperson added in the written response provided to the media on Saturday.