In a high-level conference, representatives from Nepal and China discussed their current bilateral relations and cooperation and deliberated on how to strengthen and broaden it in areas like connectivity, investment, and trade promotion.
On April 7, Beijing hosted the 15th meeting of the bilateral diplomatic consultation mechanism between the foreign ministries of China and Nepal.
According to a statement released by Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kathmandu, the meeting also reviewed the status of various infrastructure development projects funded by grants from China as well as projects with Chinese contractors. It was decided to speed up the implementation of the projects in order to finish them on schedule.
The extravagant Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which Beijing launched roughly six years after the two countries inked the accord, was not mentioned in the statement.
“During the high-level meeting Bharat Raj Paudyal, Foreign Secretary of Nepal, and Sun Weidong, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, led their respective delegations to the meeting,” the statement mentioned.
“The meeting was held in an atmosphere of cordiality and friendship,” it stated, further mentioning “admired Nepal’s consistent adherence to ‘one-China’ policy and respect for the five principles of peaceful coexistence.”
“Foreign Secretary Paudyal appreciated the Chinese policy of non-interference and respect for Nepal’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence,” the statement mentioned.
“With a view to reducing the trade deficit, Foreign Secretary Paudyal proposed for the preferential treatment to Nepali primary products such as tea, coffee, herbal products, cooked buffalo meat, and other agricultural products”.
“The Chinese side agreed to encourage Chinese investors to make the investment in mutually beneficial areas,” further mentioned the statement.
“The two sides discussed promoting people-to-people contacts and cultural cooperation, increasing the number of scholarships to Nepali students and professionals, and capacity development of technical experts, among others,“ the statement read.
“The Foreign Secretary of Nepal appreciated the Government of China for enlisting Nepal as one of the outbound destination countries for group tourism,” the Ministry stated.
“The two sides reviewed the cooperation between the two countries at the multilateral forums, including in the United Nations, and exchange of mutual support to each other’s candidatures.” Foreign Secretary Paudyal of Nepal met with Qin Gang of China on Thursday to discuss ways to improve their bilateral ties and collaboration.
The first representative of Nepal to meet Qin, who was appointed as China’s foreign minister in December of last year, is Mr. Paudyal.
