KATHMANDU, June 21: Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Nepal in infrastructure connectivity, post-disaster reconstruction, and trade and investment under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
President Xi made the remark during his meeting with Prime Minister KP Oli at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday.
According to a statement released by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), President Xi said that the two sides should strengthen cultural cooperation and build a solid foundation of public opinion for enhanced Sino-Nepal relations.
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President Xi also highlighted the need to strengthen cooperation to curb transnational crime and safeguard the common security of China and Nepal. “China and Nepal need to strengthen communications and coordination on major international issues,” the Chinese MoFA statement quoted the president as saying.
While appreciating Nepal’s One-China policy, President Xi reiterated Chinese support for safeguarding Nepal’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “China supports Nepal in independently choosing a social system and development path suited to its national conditions and hopes Nepal will achieve its development goals at an early date,” the statement further quoted Xi as saying during the meeting.
According to a press statement issued by the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing, Prime Minister Oli extended his heartfelt congratulations to President Xi for the successful conclusion of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2017 as well as the annual sessions of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in 2018.
During the meeting, the prime minister also congratulated the Chinese president for successfully holding the 18th Summit of the Shanghai Co-operation Organization (SCO) last week and on his assuming chairmanship of the organization.
“The two leaders discussed various matters pertaining to bilateral relations and ways and means to further expanding bilateral cooperation in various fields including through cross-border railway connectivity,” reads the embassy statement.
Prime Minister Oli also handed over an invitation letter sent by President Bidya Devi Bhandari to President Xi to visit Nepal. Sources said President Xi has assured that he would visit Nepal at an appropriate time.
