Nepal, China sign cooperation agreements

 Kathmandu, Dec. 3

President Xi Jinping of China has pledged to facilitate the export of Nepali goods to China and mobilise Chinese investment to Nepal.

In a meeting with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli of Nepal, he said that more facilitation to the promotion of Chinese investment in Nepal and latter’s export promotion would be offered by China, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Krishna Prasad Dhakal said while talking with media persons in Beijing. The audio of his statement is shared with the media in Nepal.

According to PM Oli’s press team, the meeting happened at the Villa No. 12 at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in western Beijing on Tuesday afternoon.

“The bilateral talk between the two leaders was focused on enhancing and strengthening the bilateral relations between Nepal and China on the basis of reciprocity and promotion of bilateral interest,” said Dhakal. According to him, President Xi stated that the relationship between China and Nepal is characterised by mutual respect, reciprocity and mutual trust.

On the occasion, President Xi announced a 500 million RMB (equivalent to Rs. 9.3 billion) grant support to Nepal.

PM Oli extended an official invitation to President Xi to visit Nepal on the occasion of the 70 years of the establishment of the bilateral relations between Nepal and China, and in response, the latter said that he would make it happen in an appropriate time in future.

Speaking at the meeting, as Dhakal said, PM Oli expressed huge appreciation for the massive poverty alleviation drive that lifted hundreds of millions of people from poverty. He also praised China’s rapid development and transformation while hoping that Nepal would be benefitted from it. “Nepal wants additional support from Chinain economic and development initiatives,” said PM Oli.

“Ours is the friendship solidified by mutual understanding and trust,” he said.

On the same day, Prime Minister Oli was welcomed by his Chinese counterpart, Li Qiang, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army presented a 'Guard of Honour' in honour of Prime Minister Oli while other senior Chinese leaders were present at the ceremony. Both the Prime Ministers introduced the members of their delegations to their counterpart.

Following their bilateral discussion, PM Oli and PM Li witnessed the signing of various nine agreements and memorandums of understanding between the two governments.

The two countries signed agreement including on economic and technical cooperation, MoUs on trade promotion cooperation, between Nepal Television and China Media Group, and volunteer Chinese language teachers, and letter of exchange on Tokha-Chhahare Tunnel.

 

Documents signed during the visit of PM Oli:

1. Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation

2. Letter of Exchange on Tokha-Chhahare Tunnel

3. MoU on Trade Promotion Cooperation

4. Protocol on Requirements of Thermally Processed Buffalo Meat Products to be Exported from Nepal to China

5. MoU on Development Plan (2024-29)

6. Letter of Exchange on Cash Assistance

7. Handover Certificate of the Completion of the Reconstruction of Nine-storey Basantapur Tower

8. MoU on Volunteer Chinese Language Teachers

9. MoU between Public Service Broadcasting Nepal Television and China Media Group

 

Assessing the bilateral relations and cooperation, the two Prime Ministers exchanged views on enhancing bilateral relations and development cooperation, the MoFA said in a tweet.

On the occasion, PM Oli invited his Chinese counterpart for the visit of Nepal.

Likewise, PM Oli also met with Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China where the two discussed matters of bilateral relations and parliamentary cooperation between the two countries.

Dhakal said that the dialogues with the three top level leaders on Tuesday have helped to further solidify the bilateral relations between the two neighbours.

Nepali delegation is led by PM Oli and includes his spouse Radhika Shakya, Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, PM’s Chief Advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Economic and Development Advisor Dr. Yuvaraj Khatiwada, several federal lawmakers, senior government officials including secretaries, private sector representatives, and journalists.

As part of the official visit, Prime Minister Oli paid tribute at the monument to the People's Heroes in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, laying a wreath in memory of those who died in China’s revolutionary struggle.

PM Oli had reached Beijing on Monday on a 4-day official visit. He was welcomed by the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Communist Party of China, Sun Weidong, and Nepal’s Ambassador to China Dr. Krishna Prasad Oli at the Beijing Capital International Airport on Monday evening.

PM Oli will conclude his third official visit to China (with earlier two happening in 2016 and 2018) as the prime minister of Nepal, and return to Kathmandu on Thursday, December 5.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 4 December 2024.