KATHMANDU, April 28: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday said that his country will continue to support Nepal to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Xi made the statement during a telephone conversation with his Nepali counterpart President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Monday evening. 

Cherishing the fond memory of the successful state visit of the President of China to Nepal in October 2019, President Bhandari spoke of the longstanding close ties between the two countries, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Xi also fondly recalled the spontaneous welcome extended by the people of Nepal and the important outcomes of the visit.

"The two Presidents shared views on the ongoing global fight against the pandemic of COVID-19 and its impacts felt across the world. Views were also exchanged on the measures taken by their respective governments in the fight against COVID-19," reads the press release.

President Bhandari appreciated the strong initiatives pursued by the Government of China to contain and control COVID-19 in China and the support it has extended to countries around the world in their fight against the pandemic.

In return, Xi appreciated the swift and resolute actions taken by the Government of Nepal to contain the spread of the virus and assured China’s cooperation in this regard.

President Bhandari extended appreciation to the government and people of China for the assistance of medical logistics provided to Nepal.

President Xi expressed his happiness over the return of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli to the normal work schedule after his kidney transplant surgery and conveyed his best wishes to Oli for his good health and happiness.

Similarly, Xi appreciated the telephone call by his Nepali counterpart and thanked for the solidarity and support extended to the government and people of China during the coronavirus epidemic and also on the occasion of the Observance of National Day of Mourning in memory of those who lost their lives while fighting the novel coronavirus.

The two presidents expressed satisfaction over the excellent state of bilateral relations and agreed to further strengthen these relations in the coming days through the implementation of understandings and agreements reached during the high-level visits, including the projects related to expanding connectivity between the two countries within the framework of Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network.

"Both the presidents agreed to the expeditious execution of these projects immediately after the situation became normal," according to the press release.

State-run China Global Television Network quoted Xi as saying, "Facing the unprecedented challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, the international community needs solidarity and cooperation more than ever,"

Xi also called on the world to safeguard multilateralism. In his conversation, the Chinese president suggested that health and medical agencies of China and Nepal enhance exchange and cooperation. Xi told Bhandari that the Chinese side has been following the epidemic situation in Nepal, and will continue to firmly support its combat against the COVID-19 outbreak.

China is committed to the notion of building a community with a shared future for mankind and will actively engage in international cooperation to combat the virus, Xi said, adding that China supports the World Health Organization (WHO) to play a leading role in the global fight, according to CGTN.

China's experience will enhance other countries' confidence in defeating the coronavirus, Xi said. 

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi held a meeting with President Bhandari ahead of the telephone conversation between the two presidents Monday evening. 

 
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