China assures to clear all stranded containers destined to Nepal

KATHMANDU, Sept 13: China has assured that it will clear all containers destined to Nepal before the festive season in Nepal. At the request of Nepal, the Chinese side also assured that it will take necessary measures to address the widening trade gaps between the two countries and encourage its entrepreneurs to invest in Nepal, particularly in areas that support the livelihood of the Nepali people.

This assurance was given during official talks held between Speaker of the House of Representatives Agni Prasad Sapkota and visiting Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China Li Zhanshu held in Kathmandu on Monday afternoon.

During the talks, the two dignitaries expressed happiness over the excellent state of bilateral relations and cooperation subsisting between Nepal and China and held discussions on different matters of mutual interests. Speaker Sapkota reiterated Nepal’s commitment to One-China Policy and not to allow any activity against China in Nepali territory, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.

On the occasion, Li Zhanshu expressed China’s continued support to Nepal’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity while the Speaker appreciated the people and Government of the People’s Republic of China for their generous support and cooperation to Nepal’s development endeavor and expressed hope for an enhanced level of support from China for post-pandemic recovery and other development priorities of Nepal. He added that the people and Government of Nepal are grateful to the Chinese Government for providing Nepal with a substantial amount of medical supplies, equipment and COVID-19 vaccines.

During the meeting, both sides agreed to further strengthen inter-parliamentary exchanges and cooperation. They also underscored the role of Parliamentary Friendship Group in each other’s parliament in further promoting goodwill and understanding between the two legislatures. Li promised to provide assistance to the Nepali Parliament as per its need and requirement at the institution level. The two dignitaries also exchanged views on the importance of implementing connectivity infrastructures, including under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Following the bilateral talks, Speaker Sapkota and Li Zhanshu signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Inter-parliamentary Cooperation between the two countries. Later in the evening, Speaker Sapkota hosted a dinner in honor of Li Zhanshu and the visiting delegation.