“This is not targeted at any third country, nor will it hurt the interests of other nations,” she has said in the interview published on Thursday. “Instead, it will only add to the common prosperity of the region.”[break]
Fu clarified that China would like to strengthen its relations with all South Asian countries including Bhutan and Nepal.
Her remarks come amid media reports that China and India are locked in a strategic rivalry in South Asia, with concerns being raised over China´s assertive diplomacy with various South Asian nations.
Fu has expressed China´s readiness to expand cooperation with India in promoting regional development. “The need for connectivity can be better met if China, India and South Asian countries work together and avail themselves of the good opportunity offered by the strong growth in the region,” she has said, referring to the remarks of Chinese President Hu Jintao that the 21st century should be one of peace, development and cooperation.
During her visit to Nepal, Fu also held meeting with SAARC Secretary General Ahmed Saleem. “I expressed China´s willingness to support SAARC and expanding cooperation with SAARC members in the areas of economy, agriculture, transportation, human resource training and disaster relief,” she said.
China became a SAARC observer nation in 2006. Recently, China had appointed its envoy to Nepal Yang Houlan also as a resident representative to the SAARC. “China is committed to good neighborly relations with SAARC members and attaches importance to its contacts with SAARC as an organization,” she has further said. China shares a 4,700 kilometer border with SAARC countries.
Fu arrived Nepal on Saturday after visiting Bhutan where she took part in a meeting of China-Bhutan boundary.
“The purpose of my visit [to Nepal] was to follow up on the important visit to Nepal by Premier Wen Jiabao last January. China is committed to effectively implement the agreements reached during the visit, including assistance programs, infrastructure projects and people-to-people exchanges,” she said.
Fu also appreciated Nepal´s firm commitment to one-China policy and its position of not allowing any forces to use its territory for anti-China activities. “I am glad that this policy is shared by all political parties,” he added.
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