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Nepal Everest Rescue Team in China's Yunnan Province for "Cloud Top 2025" - A historic first
Kathmandu, August 20. A seven member delegation from Nepal has reached China's Yunnan Province to participate in Cloud Top" Rescue Technology Competition and Exchange Event. The event is being organised by Kunming City Fire and Rescue Department, in coordination with Yunnan Mountaineering and Outdoor Sports Association, Dali Prefecture Fire and Rescue Department, Dali Prefecture Education and Sports Bureau and Yangbi County People's Government.
The Nepali delegation comprises Pratik Bahadur Khatri as team leader, Sudarshan Nepal President of Everest Alliance Nepal along with Man Raj Gurung, Pasang Rinzee Sherpa, Sujal Gurung, Sujan Gurung, and Anup Gurung as team members.
The event since its inception in 2020 has been successfully held four time with the inaugural event in Dashanbao, Zhaotang in October 2020, followed by events at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Lijiang, in May 2022; the Nujiang Grand Canyon in December 2023; and Balagezong, Diqing in May 2024. The event has since attracted over 60 teams from seven countries gradually becoming one of China's largest and most influential rescue exchange activities.
The highlights of the event include domestic exchanges to international competition with an aim to foster a global dialogue in rescue technology. This is the first time Nepal along with Cambodia and Laos has taken part in the event. The initiative aims to serve as a diplomatic outreach, strengthening regional cooperation in disaster response among China and its neighbours in Southeast and South Asia,
Another highlight includes a 24-hour endurance competition; a full process, all element, all domain practical rescue competition that aims to simulate the entire rescue chain, from emergency dispatch and map navigation to tracking, searching and casualty transport. Likewise, team and individual competitions will be held under a"Fire Rescue + Sports" competition model featuring individuals and team based events.
The list of international participants include China Cambodia Varaman Team; The Fire Prevention and Emergency Response Police Delegation from Luang Namtha, Laos; Emergency Rescue Team of the Lao Red Cross, Luang Prabang Province and the Nepal Everest Rescue Team.
Similarly, domestic rescue teams from China include Liaoning Provincial Fire and Rescue Department; Anhui Provincial Fire and Rescue Department; Shandong Provincial Fire and Rescue Department; Shaanxi Provincial Fire and Rescue Department; Yunnan Provincial Forest Firefighting Department; Anhui Mountain Rescue Team; Yunnan Mountain Rescue Team; and Dalu City Blue Sky Rescue Team.
Since its inception, the event has adhered to the mission of "Practical Exchange and Technical Discussion," aiming to build a platform for sharing emergency rescue techniques and information. Competition subjects are derived from real-world case studies, with a focus on pure technical exchange. The rules embrace openness and inclusivity, respecting rescue techniques from different countries, schools of thought, and domains.
It explicitly states "no limits on technical systems, equipment, or rescue paths," encouraging teams to leverage their initiative and fully demonstrate the standardization, professionalism, practicality, and innovation of their operations. The ultimate goal is to "learn from others, exchange and mutually learn, and seek common development" The "Cloud Top 2025" event is not a mere continuation of its predecessors but a leap from "imitative" learning to "pioneering" breakthroughs.
Through five key innovations, it aims to create an unprecedented international summit for rescue technology exchange, a statement from the organizer reads.
"The participation of Nepal in the Cloud Top 2025 aims to showcase Nepal's expertise and knowledge in mountain rescues at a global stage. This event will surely help elevate Nepal's position as a leader in global mountaineering manpower and high-altitude rescue operations," Sudarshan Nepal, president of Everest Alliance Nepal and captain of the Nepal Everest Rescue Team shared. The Nepali delegation was formed by Everest Alliance Nepal in coordination with the Chinese organizers.