China kicks out climber after Everest feat

BEIJING, May 28 (Reuters) China has kicked out an Italian mountaineer who entered China without legal documents after climbing Mount Everest from the Nepalese side, Xinhua news agency said today.

Simone Moro started climbing the world's highest mountain from the south in Nepal on May 20 and reached the Chinese mountaineering camp on the northern slope two days later, Xinhua said, quoting the Tibetan Mountaineering Association.

''The camp immediately informed the association of the illegal entry to the Chinese territory,'' Xinhua said.

Moro, an experienced mountaineer who has entered China many times with the right documents, told the association he couldn't make his way back after reaching the summit ''because the ropes were cut'', Xinhua said.

Association general secretary Zhang Mingxing said the excuse was unfounded.

''The southern slope isn't as difficult as the northern side,'' Zhang was quoted as saying. ''Even without ropes, an experienced climber like Simone can still find his way back.'' Everest is known as Qomolangma in China and straddles its border with Nepal.

Moro, who was not immediately available for comment, was deported from Zhangmu, the booming trade town, Xinhua said.

REUTERS SHR PM1409