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U.S. Special Coordinator on Tibet Uzra Zeya, who is currently on a three-day visit to Nepal, met with the representatives of the Tibetan community in Kathmandu, on May 21.

 The visit is being seen as a strong message to China. In recent weeks, U.S and China are at fresh loggerheads over Taiwan and Tibet issues.

On May 21, she visited the Tibetan refugee camp at Lalitpur followed by a visit to Boudhanath Stupa. In Lalitpur, she held discussions with representatives of the Tibetan community about their human rights issues.  Before arriving in Nepal, she visited Dharmashala, India, and met spiritual leader Dalai Lama.

China has opposed US Under Secretary and Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues Uzra Zeya’s meeting with the head of the “Tibetan government-in-exile” and some Tibetan representatives in India on May 18 in Dharmashala, India. 

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian in a regular press briefing on May 19 said the so-called “Tibetan government-in-exile” is an out-and-out separatist political group and an illegal organization in total violation of China’s Constitution and laws. It is not recognized by any country in the world, he said. The U.S is urging the Nepal government to ensure the human rights of Tibetan refugees in Kathmandu.

America, however, has accused China of misrepresenting its policy on Tibet and Taiwan. Ned Price, State Department Spokesperson on May 21 said, “The United States does not subscribe to the PRC’s “one China principle” – we remain committed to our longstanding, bipartisan one-China policy, guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, Three Joint Communiques, and Six Assurances.”

 The United States has said it strongly advocates for Taiwan to regain its observer status in the World Health Assembly (WHA) the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), leading into its annual meeting May 22-28 in Geneva.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday called on the BRICS countries to work together to build a global community of security for all.

Xi made the remarks while delivering a video address at the opening session of the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

Xi noted that currently, the impacts of major changes and a pandemic unseen in a century are being combined, and factors of instability, uncertainty and insecurity are increasing in the international situation.

"Despite it, peace and development remain the unchanging theme of the times, the aspiration of people across countries for a better life remains unchanged, and the historical mission for the international community to pursue solidarity and win-win cooperation remains unchanged," Xi said.

As a positive, inspiring and constructive force in the international community, the BRICS countries need to firm up belief, brave the storms and waves, and take real action to promote peace and development, uphold fairness and justice, and advocate democracy and freedom, so as to inject stability and positive energy into international relations in a period of turbulence and transformation, Xi said.

President Xi stressed that both history and reality tell us that seeking one's own security at the expense of others' will only create new tensions and risks. To promote common security in the world, he put forward not long ago the Global Security Initiative (GSI).

BRICS countries need to strengthen political mutual trust and security cooperation, maintain close communication and coordination on major international and regional issues, accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns, respect each other's sovereignty, security and development interests, oppose hegemonism and power politics, reject Cold War mentality and bloc confrontation, and work together to build a global community of security for all, Xi said.

Development is a common task for emerging markets and developing countries, Xi underscored, adding that facing the various risks and challenges of the day, it is more than ever important for emerging markets and developing countries to strengthen solidarity and cooperation.

He called on the five BRICS countries to engage in dialogue and exchanges with more emerging markets and developing countries to increase mutual understanding and trust, tighten the bond of cooperation, and deepen the convergence of interests, so as to make the pie of cooperation bigger and the force for progress stronger, and contribute still more to the lofty vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind. Source: Xinhua 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to observe foreign service day on 10^th Jestha every year. The first foreign service rule was enacted 61 years ago on the same day.  MOFA will be organizing a special function on the same day and will also facilitate MoFA staff.

American President Joe Biden is all set to launch Indo-Pacific Economic Framework(IPEF) during his first trip to Asia which begins on May 20.

Biden administration has provided the documents of framework to Asian countries. Big Asian countries are working on the language of a two-page statement that will accompany the unveiling of the IPEF.

Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not said anything about whether America has shared any documents on IPEF.  "We do not have any information about it," said the official. 

Earlier, countries across the Indo-Pacific have spent the past year urging the US to develop an economic strategy to help counter China. Nepal figures out prominently in America’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.