KATHMANDU, June 25: Visiting State Councilor of China Yang Jiechi has said that the age-old friendship and cooperation between Nepal and China have now reached a new turning point.
Addressing a function organized in the capital on Tuesday to inaugurate the China-funded Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project, Yang said that Nepal is not just a “dear friend” and a “close neighbor”, but also an “excellent partner” of China. “I believe that we are now at a new turning point in our friendship and cooperation. And this friendship and cooperation will grow,” he said. [break]
China has committed itself to provide 340 million renminbi for the expansion of the Koteshwor-Kalanki section of the Ring Road as a part of the Ring Road Improvement Project, which was jointly inaugurated by Acting President Paramananda Jha and Yang. The expanded eight-lane section will have two separate lanes for bicycles, one on each side of the road.
In his six-minute speech after the opening ceremony of the Ring Road Improvement Project that covers the nine-kilometer Kalanki-Koteshwor section, Yang said that leadership changes in China won´t bring any changes in the cordial relations between the two countries.
“You know that we have successfully convened the 18th party congress. You all know that there has just been a change of leadership in China. But what has not changed is the deep, solid friendship and cooperation between China and Nepal,” he said amid thunderous applause at the function attended by top political leaders, bureaucrats, security officials and civil society members.
Yang, who arrived in Kathmandu Monday afternoon leading an 18-member delegation, spoke about the recent meeting between the visiting Nepali delegation and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where the president firmly said China wanted cooperative and comprehensive partnership with Nepal.
“You have achieved much in your socio and economic progress. And we wish you even brighter days in future,” he said while expressing China´s willingness to support Nepal in her development endeavors.
Yang expressed satisfaction that his visit this time around covered not just political issues, but also issues related to economic cooperation between the two countries. “Politically, we stand firm to support each other´s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Economically, China will help our Nepali friends through aid and through investment and cooperation,” he further said.
Yang also expressed China´s readiness to extend support to hydropower and infrastructure development in Nepal. “This is a handshake over the Himalayas. This is an embrace over the Himalayas,” he said of the Chinese support for the expansion of the Ring Road that was first constructed by China in the 1970s.
While thanking China for her continued support to Nepal, Acting President Jha reiterated Nepal´s commitment to its one-China policy. Speaking on the occasion, Jha also asked China to continue with the support it has been providing to Nepal´s development endeavors.
Prior to the inaugural ceremony for the Ring Road Improvement Project, Yang held a separate meeting with Acting President Jha and Chairman of Interim Election Council of Ministers Khil Raj Regmi at their respective offices.
The meeting with Chairman Regmi was followed by the signing of three different agreements including an Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation, and two separate exchange of letters on the China-aided Nepal National Armed Police Force Academy project and on logistic materials for the Office of Supplies for the Constituent Assembly Election.
While China will provide 200 million renminbi for the construction of the APF Academy, it will provide 10 million renminbi as election support to the Election Commission as per the exchange of letters on Tuesday.
During the meeting with Regmi, Yang said China wanted to see peace and development in Nepal and also said China was happy that elections are taking place in Nepal in November.
According to a press statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Yang expressed confidence that all the political parties would work towards holding elections and fulfilling the aspirations and expectations of the Nepali people. “He also expressed the sympathy of the government and people of China for the loss of lives and property caused by the recent floods in mid and far-western Nepal,” the statement said.
At the meeting, Regmi briefed Yang on the current political situation and mentioned that the government was making all efforts toward holding free and fair elections on the stipulated date of November 19. While thanking China´s support to Nepal, Regmi also reiterated that Nepal was firmly committed to a one-China policy and that Nepali soil would not be allowed to be used for any activities inimical to the interests of China.
Yang flew back to China Tuesday evening.
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