Nepal ready to strengthen ties with China: special envoy

The long-lasting China-Nepal relations are becoming more dynamic and vibrant over the years and the collaboration between the two countries opens up broader opportunities for the two countries to prosper together, Nepalese Ambassador to China Bishnu Pukar Shrestha has said.

The friendship between China and Nepal has stood the test of time and will continue to flourish like never before as the two countries prepare to celebrate the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic ties next year, Shrestha said.

“China and Nepal enjoy multifaceted relations based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, established 70 years ago. The two countries have consistently affirmed their commitment to respecting each other’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, while remaining sensitive to each other’s concerns and interests,” he said.

The ambassador reiterated Nepal’s commitment to the one-China principle, acknowledging that issues relating to Xizang and Taiwan were China’s internal affairs. “We have assured that we will not allow any anti-China activities on our soil,” he said.

From March 25 to April 1, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nepal, paid a visit to China. During the visit, the two sides agreed to step up political support, promote high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and strengthen people-to-people ties.

“This visit marks a new milestone in our bilateral relations, with tangible and fruitful results for our peoples,” the envoy said. Following the visit, China and Nepal reopened their traditional border exchange points on May 25 in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region.

Most important business partner

The region’s exports and imports to and from Nepal, its main trading partner, totaled about $389.5 million, up 77.2 percent year-on-year in 2023, according to the customs office in Lhasa, the regional capital.

In recent years, China and Nepal have strengthened collaboration in various fields including science, technology, education, tourism, health and think tanks, with the Belt and Road Initiative being key to promoting connectivity on all fronts.

“The BRI provides an important platform for all concerned countries to enhance trade and commerce and facilitate technology transfer, which is a top priority for Nepal,” the envoy said.

He stressed that the BRI has transformed Nepal from a landlocked nation to a land-connected nation, attracting investments in roads, railways, aviation and communications as part of the multidimensional Trans-Himalayan Connectivity Network.

“The China-Nepal railway project has high expectations from both peoples. I believe it will help bring excellent Nepalese products such as cashmere fabrics, wood products, handicrafts and organic alpine agricultural products to China, while transferring China’s technological development to Nepal once completed,” he said.

The envoy arrived in China in 2022 and has been working as Nepal’s ambassador since then. In his duties, he has travelled to many places in China and witnessed the developments in the situation over the past few years.

“China has achieved unprecedented successes in the past 75 years under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. The achievement that comes to mind is the end of absolute poverty, which is a historical example for all of humanity.

“Investments have been made in rural infrastructure, from roads to irrigation systems to disaster control mechanism, as well as in effective and well-functioning institutions,” he said, adding that these investments have helped lift nearly 800 million people out of poverty.

This year, the ambassador attended the opening meeting of China’s two sessions and saw new momentum in the country’s development plan.

“China is now leading the information and technology revolution. Recently, the government said it would boost growth by introducing new high-quality productive forces with technology at the core. China, as a pioneer in the production of electric vehicles and solar panels, has fulfilled its commitment to green development. Such practices will also help save the world from climate change and other disasters, as well as maintain intergenerational equity,” he said.

China’s proposals on the Global Initiative for Development and the Global Initiative for Civilization are fully aligned with and complement the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the envoy said. “China is committed to keeping development at the core of its concerns. It believes that development brings security and stability.”

“Its goal is to help countries around the world, promote global growth and provide essential public goods,” he said.

Xinhua contributed to this article.

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