China guarantees relief supplies, restores power in quake-hit Xizang

Authorities are ramping up relief efforts in Baqen County of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region following Thursday's 7.0-magnitude earthquake, with power restored and thousands of emergency supplies reaching affected villages.

The earthquake struck at 22:33 on Thursday, leaving 16 people dead and 76 others injured as of Friday afternoon. The quake also damaged or destroyed 339 homes and 20 livestock sheds.

Gangqie Township is one of the hardest-hit areas, where local authorities are sparing no effort to provide temporary shelters and distribute cold-weather necessities to affected residents.

At a temporary settlement in the township, affected residents have moved into emergency tents, where rescue workers are installing heating stoves and other facilities inside.

"The items we urgently need, such as tents, stoves, quilts and cotton-padded clothes, have basically all arrived," said Tsewang Phuntsog, deputy director of the Standing Committee of the Baqen County People's Congress.

Gangqie Township has set up 17 temporary shelters, and all affected residents in its 16 administrative villages have been evacuated to temporary shelters. More than 130 prefabricated houses are currently being assembled in one village, with construction in other villages set to begin soon.

In neighboring Maru Township, another hard-hit area near the epicenter, local village officials are working around the clock to distribute relief supplies to residents.

""It really warms my heart. In situations like this, whether it's support from the national government or from neighboring counties, it really warms my heart and makes me feel so good inside," said Nyidi, a village official.

"We are grateful to the national rescue teams, the medical support, and daily necessities. They even supplied us with heaters, warm clothing, and meals. This happens only because of our strong motherland. We will never forget it," said Nyima Yongdrung, a local villager.

At a central relief site in Maru Township, local officials and Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers are making all-out efforts to provide hot meals for affected residents and frontline rescuers.

"The PLA soldiers do the cooking. We mainly provide vegetables and rice. We work together to distribute meals to the residents. We provide breakfast, lunch and dinner here," Dawa Dorje, a staff member with Baqun county government.

Many volunteers were also pitching in to help.

Du Guoping, a restaurant owner in Shigatse originally from Gansu Province, drove more than 10 hours with his staff to reach the quake-hit area. He provides free hot dumplings, or jiaozi, to survivors and rescue workers during the day while sleeping in his food truck at night.

"My restaurant had just been fitted out and was about to open when the earthquake struck here, so we came straight over," said Du, who brought about 1,500 kilograms of Jiaozi.

"I'm just doing my bit," he added.

Sonam Ngodrup, who was seen preparing Tibetan noodles at the temporary shelter, also rushed to the scene voluntarily from Nagqu's Seni District.

High altitude and freezing temperatures continue to pose challenges, but coordinated efforts are ensuring that residents receive hot meals on time and basic living needs are met.

Rescue and relief operations remain ongoing, alongside orderly medical treatment and disease prevention efforts. According to the State Grid, full power supply across the disaster zone was successfully re-established on Saturday night.

China guarantees relief supplies, restores power in quake-hit Xizang

China guarantees relief supplies, restores power in quake-hit Xizang

China guarantees relief supplies, restores power in quake-hit Xizang

China guarantees relief supplies, restores power in quake-hit Xizang

The Japanese government plans to step up public outreach on security policy from late October, targeting different age groups with tailored messaging as it prepares to revise its three key security documents by the end of this year, Kyodo News reported Saturday, a move that has raised concerns in Japan.

The government plans to release videos produced in collaboration with public figures on the internet and social media to reach younger audiences. Advertisements will also be placed on Tokyo subway trains and at Shibuya Crossing, a major intersection in the capital, highlighting the links between national security and everyday life.

For middle-aged and older audiences, the campaign will use social media, television and shopping mall advertisements to explain how security policy relates to family and personal safety, the report said.

The Japanese government plans to revise its three key national security documents by the end of 2026, with "new ways of warfare" and sustained combat capabilities expected to be among the key focuses. The revision is also expected to set a target for further increases in defense spending.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in parliament on Oct 14 that the wording concerning the Three Non-Nuclear Principles could be revised in the country's three key security documents, which the government plans to update by the end of this year.

Japan's Three Non-Nuclear Principles refer to not possessing, not producing, and not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons into the country.

On Saturday evening, Japanese citizens held a protest rally in front of Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, noting that if Japan introduces nuclear weapons such as nuclear submarines, it will bring instability to the situation in East Asia.

"It is unacceptable that Takaichi seeks to remove the principle of "not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons into Japan", which will make Japan lose international trust and send a wrong signal to the world," said a protester.

"I think it is very naive to believing that simply possessing these weapons will achieve defense. Doing so will only further worsen Japan's relations with neighboring countries. Can Japan really become happier as a result? Won't this deepen the rift with other countries?" said another protester.

"If Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi believes that the security environment around Japan is deteriorating sharply, the situation should be improved through diplomatic means. Article 9 of the Constitution clearly stipulates that no war shall be waged and no military force shall be held. Then why should tax revenue be used for military expansion? I cannot agree with it. I strongly urge that the Constitution must not be revised under any circumstances," said a third protester.

Japan's planned security publicity campaign raises concerns