Nepal Reaffirms Commitment to China Ties, Prioritizing Economic Partnership

Kathmandu. Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has stated that the government places high priority on its friendship with China, a reliable development partner, while pledging that Nepali territory will not be allowed to be used against any neighbor.

Speaking at the 'Voice of Spring: A Journey to Inner Mongolia through Music' event hosted by the Chinese Embassy here this evening, he expressed gratitude for the support received from the Chinese government for Nepal's socio-economic development.

Finance Minister Dr. Wagle expressed confidence that the enduring relationship with China would further strengthen in the future, highlighting the diverse geographical and cultural similarities between the two nations. He noted that the cultural richness of Inner Mongolia is significant for bilateral cultural exchange.

Appreciating the support from the Chinese side to transform Nepal from a landlocked to a land-linked nation based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, Dr. Wagle stated that Nepal wishes to learn from China's development achievements.

"The Rastriya Swatantra Party has included in its manifesto that Nepal should learn from Chinese prosperity and move forward on the path of economic development," he said.

Finance Minister Dr. Wagle described the support received for the country's physical infrastructure, including the Chinese-built Ring Road, its expansion, the Kerung-Kathmandu road, railway feasibility studies, the Madan Bhandari University, and the Civil Service Hospital, as unparalleled.

Stating that discussions are ongoing with the Chinese side for more intensive partnerships in areas of mutual benefit such as the establishment of Chinese banks in Nepal, agriculture, and tourism, he informed that the current government, working with firm determination for Nepal's all-around development, has placed good governance, economy, and prosperity at the center.

National Assembly Vice-Chairperson Lila Kumari Bhandari stated that Nepal is fully committed to the One-China policy and emphasized the need to take the bilateral relationship, based on the Panchsheel principles, to new heights.

She expressed gratitude for the continuous support received from China, a reliable development partner for Nepal. Emphasizing the need to further strengthen the existing cooperative relationship, Vice-Chairperson Bhandari expressed happiness that the seven-decade-old Nepal-China relationship is becoming more intensive in economic, social, and cultural sectors as well.

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming expressed gratitude to the Government of Nepal and the Nepali people for the Nepal-China friendship and cooperation, stating that he is mesmerized by Nepal's culture and natural beauty.

Stating his commitment to making the China-Nepal strategic partnership eternal, he shared China's desire to further support Nepal's development efforts through the 'Belt and Road' initiative. Ambassador Zhang Maoming expressed confidence that the 15th Five-Year Plan recently passed by China would be helpful not only for China's development but also for the upliftment of neighboring countries.

Reiterating his determination to make every possible effort to further strengthen people-to-people relations, he expressed commitment to implementing past agreements and understandings.

On that occasion, artists from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region presented the folk culture and music of Inner Mongolia.

The event was attended by members of the Council of Ministers, former Prime Ministers, leaders of various political parties, former Speakers, heads and officials of diplomatic missions, Chinese nationals working here, and other distinguished members of society.