China pledges to deepen cooperation with Nepal, boost ties
Beijing ( Xinhua) : China is willing to enhance high-level exchanges with Nepal and facilitate cooperation with the South Asian country in interconnectivity, reconstruction, trade and investment, energy and tourism, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Thursday.
Wang made the announcement while holding talks with Nepalese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who is on an official visit to China from Sept. 6 to 11, invited by his Chinese counterpart.
“The two sides believe that development of China-Nepal relations is beneficial for the interests of the two countries and two peoples,” Wang said at the press conference after the talks, saying that the two sides will develop bilateral ties from a strategic perspective and will push forward the comprehensive cooperative partnership.
During this process, China will adhere to the three basic principles of equal treatment, mutual support and joint development, Wang said.
“Large or small, countries should be treated equally,” said Wang, adding that China never interferes in Nepal’s domestic affairs, never attaches political conditions to economic cooperation, and never asks Nepal to pick sides in its foreign policy.
According to Wang, China will continue to firmly support Nepal’s efforts to safeguard its national independence and sovereign and territorial integrity.
China highly appreciates Nepal’s upholding of the one China policy and support of China’s core interests on Tibet and Taiwan issues, Wang said.
Wang said that China is willing to cooperate with Nepal under the Belt and Road Initiative and to offer help for Nepal’s economic and social development.
Wang said that the two sides will cooperate on the planning of a railway that runs across the China-Nepal border, repair two highways in Nepal, and will construct three ports along the border.
Mahara said that Nepal will firmly adhere to the one China policy and will never allow anyone to harm China’s sovereignty and interests within Nepal’s territory.
Mahara appreciates China’s support of Nepal in its development and reconstruction after the 2015 earthquake, saying that Nepal is willing to cooperate with China under the framework of the Belt and Road initiative.
China to strengthen connectivity, trade with Nepal: premier Li
China will take the Belt and Road Initiative as an opportunity to strengthen connectivity, trade and investment with Nepal, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said.
Li made the remarks when meeting with Nepalese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who is on an official visit to China from Sept. 6 to 11.
“China will work with Nepal to speed up the feasibility study of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the development of cross-border economic zones,” Li said.
The premier suggested bilateral cooperation in energy, infrastructure, post-disaster reconstruction and tourism, assuring Nepal that China will do its best to support the Himalayan country’s economic and social development.
“China hopes for unity among all factions in Nepal and smooth progress in their political agenda to usher in a new phase of lasting stability and prosperity for the country,” Li said.
Li said China is ready to maintain high-level exchanges with Nepal to ensure bilateral cooperation benefits the two countries’ development, their people as well as regional stability and prosperity.
Mahara said Nepal-China relationship is exemplary in following the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
Nepal will continue to adhere to the one-China policy, maintain high-level exchanges and deepen practical cooperation to achieve win-win results, Mahara said.
Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi also met with Mahara on Thursday.
Sept. 8 ,2017
