China keen to advance strategic partnership with Nepal: Xi

Chinese President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed Nepal’s importance in China’s neighbourhood policy and expressed commitment to enhancing the strategic partnership during a meeting with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

Prime Minister Oli is currently on a four-day official visit to China. Tuesday’s talks between the two leaders mainly focused on deepening the bilateral ties as well as strategic partnership between China and Nepal. The two countries elevated their comprehensive bilateral relation to the strategic partnership during Xi’s Nepal visit in 2019.  

During the meeting, Xi expressed appreciation for Oli’s firm commitment to promoting friendship between the two sides, emphasizing their shared geography and long-standing relations, according to China’s state news agency, Xinhua. “These efforts aim to help Nepal transform from a landlocked country to a land-linked country,” it added.

Noting that next year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nepal, Xi said China places Nepal at an important position in its neighborhood diplomacy, and is willing to work with Nepal to consolidate traditional friendship and push for new progress in advancing the strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity. On the occasion, the Chinese leader also announced to provide 500m RMB for Nepal’s development. 

Prime Minister Oli, in response, reiterated Nepal’s commitment to implementing the projects under Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). He also expressed Nepal’s openness to welcome Chinese investments. He also emphasized Nepal’s commitment to One-China policy, assuring that Nepal would never allow its territory to be used for anti-China activities.    

Earlier, Oli held delegation-level talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. In the meeting Li said that China is willing to work with Nepal to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, continue to consolidate and deepen political trust, and push for the deeper development of relations. 

China firmly supports Nepal in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, and stands ready to enhance the synergy of development strategies with Nepal, leverage the leading role of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation in bilateral cooperation, Li told Oli. He added that China encourages competent Chinese enterprises to invest in Nepal, and is willing to import more quality products from Nepal.

During Oli’s visit, nine agreements were signed between the two countries, covering a range of areas aimed at bolstering bilateral cooperation. These agreements included economic and technical cooperation, development of Tokha-Chhahare Tunnel, trade promotion, export of thermally processed buffalo meat products to China, and a development plan spanning 2024 to 2029. Additional agreements involved cash assistance, handover of the reconstructed nine-storey Basantapur Tower, volunteer Chinese language teachers, and collaboration between Nepal Television and China Media Group.  

While Oli’s China visit marks a significant progress in the bilateral and strategic ties between the two countries, uncertainties persist regarding the implementation of BRI. It is still unclear whether the two sides discussed the much-talked BRI implementation plan.  Just before Oli’s visit, Nepal had proposed a BRI framework agreement to China. 

Officials say the Chinese side rejected the Nepali proposal of accepting only grants under the BRI. According to sources, both sides, however, agreed to continue discussion on the issue after Oli’s visit.

Prime Minister Oli also met Zhao, chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, on Tuesday. During the meeting, Oli said that Nepal and China have treated each other with respect and equality, engaged in mutually beneficial cooperation, and have set a good example of friendly coexistence between countries with different social systems and sizes.

 

Zhao said that China is willing to work with Nepal to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, expand high-level strategic cooperation, and advance the China-Nepal strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity. He added that the NPC of China is willing to strengthen exchange at all levels with the Nepali Parliament, share legislative experience, and provide legal guarantees for pragmatic cooperation between the two countries.