Monday, September 9, 2019

Nepal, China to implement past pacts

Kathmandu and Beijing have agreed to implement agreements and understandings reached between the two neighbours in the past, and underscored the importance of exchange of high-level visits on a regular basis to develop mutual trust and confidence.
During the meeting between the foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and state councilor and minister of Foreign Affairs of China Wang Yi, they also reviewed all important aspects of bilateral relations, according to a press note issued by the Foreign Ministry today. “They expressed satisfaction over the expanding and deepening relations between Nepal and China in recent years and agreed to further promote co-operation in various areas of mutual interest,” it reads, adding that they also agreed to continue cooperation in regional and multilateral forums on matters of mutual interests. “Gyawali appreciated China’s continued support for Nepal’s socio-economic development and underlined the need of strengthening cooperation in the fields of connectivity, infrastructure, energy and education.”
In his reply, Wang assured Gyawali of Chinese support to Nepal’s development endeavours.
During delegation-level bilateral talks between them, the two sides also exchanged substantive views on promoting bilateral economic cooperation with special focus on trade, investment and tourism.
Following bilateral talks, the two ministers witnessed signing of two letters of exchange and a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The letters of exchange are related to Hospital Recovery Project in Manang for which the Chinese side has pledged around Rs 350 million and 5,000 units of emergency shelter tents.
Likewise, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Volunteer Chinese Teachers’ Programme in Nepal has also been inked between the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Kathmandu.
According to the agreement China will provide volunteers to teach Chinese language in Nepali schools.
Wang also paid courtesy calls today on President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. During the meeting between Oli and Wang, the visiting minister expressed his commitment to elevating Nepal-China relations to new heights by implementing agreements reached between the two sides during Oli’s last visit to Beijing.
In the evening, Gyawali hosted a welcome dinner in honour of visiting counterpart and his delegation.
Wang, who arrived in Kathmandu yesterday evening, will meet Nepal Communist Party (NCP) co-chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba.
The visit of Chinese foreign minister has also ensured the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping in the near future, according to a high level official at the Foreign Ministry.

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