Kathmandu: Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai has said that founded on Panchasheel, the five principles of peaceful coexistence, Nepal-China relations have been cordial and friendly, covering multiple areas of mutual concerns and mutual interest.
During his address to a joint seminar organised by Policy Research Institute of Nepal and National Institute of International Strategy (NISS) of China Academy of Social Sciences to celebrate the 70 years of Nepal-China diplomatic relations, he said Nepal and China have built strong ties based on mutual respect, trust, and understanding over the decades.
The seminar had the theme of “moving towards a shared future, review of and prospects for Nepal-China strategic partnership of cooperation”.
He termed the celebrations of 70th anniversary of the Nepal-China diplomatic relations an opportune moment to cherish our enduring friendship linked by the bonds of geography, history, and culture, connected by the mountains and rivers, as well as close ties of people-to-people relations.
Stating that both the countries understand each other’s aspirations and sensitivities and extend support to each other in the times of need in the spirit of true friendship, he said, “Nepal firmly adheres to the One China principle.”
He went on to say that the Nepali people are grateful for China’s generous support in Nepal’s nation-building efforts from infrastructure, connectivity to health, education, and post-disaster reconstruction. “The two countries have achieved historic progress and dynamism in bilateral relations through regular exchange of high-level visits and other engagements. Nepal and China have a long history of economic cooperation and collaboration.”
Nepal-China relations have been on an upward trajectory from good neighborly partnership in 1996 to comprehensive partnership in 2009 to strategic partnership and cooperation featuring everlasting friendship for development and prosperity, which was agreed during the state visit of President of China, Xi Jinping to Nepal in October 2019, according to the Secretary who further added that Nepal greatly appreciates President Xi Jinping’s vision of greater cooperation among member states of the United Nations for economic prosperity, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative.
Stating that undoubtedly, China has an important role to play in making this century a century of growth, a century of growth, particularly for Asia and beyond, he said, “We hope that the global south would immensely benefit from this rise of China through economic partnership and making their economic relations deeper and more inclusive.”
Giving his remarks during the seminar, Wang Xin, Deputy Chief of Mission, Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, said the “forum is aimed to carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries and envision our future cooperation.”
According to him, over the 70 years, China and Nepal have always understood and supported each other and moved along from friendly neighbors connected by mountains and rivers to a community of a shared future in the new era. The two countries have always treated each other sincerely and equally, respected and supported each other and co-existed in a peaceful and amicable manner.
“No matter how the international situation changes, the relationship between our two countries has always developed steadily and healthily and has become even stronger over time” he said.
Stating that high-level political mutual trust has deepened the flourishing development of our relations, the Chinese diplomat said China and Nepal have always been sincere and trustworthy to each other since the establishment of the diplomatic relations in 1955.
“From jointly upholding the five principles of peaceful co-existence to President Xi Jinping’s historical state visit to Nepal in 2019, which elevated our relationship to a strategic partnership of cooperation featuring everlasting friendship for development and prosperity, and to the Prime Minister Oli’s official visit to China in 2025, the political mutual trust has been continuously strengthened between our two countries,” he said.
Chairing the seminar, PRI Executive Chair Prof Dr Lekhnath Sharma said, “Historically, Nepal and China are trusted friends and neigbours.”
Appreciating China’s contribution to Nepal’s development from infrastructure and industry to humanitarian assistance, he said such contribution is significant.
“Our cultural, religious and economic ties date back to the 5th century. Kathmandu once served as a key hub of international trade, transit and connectivity in the past, the age-old connectivity thread needs to be continued along with the modern economic cooperation.”
He said the goal of the seminar is to generate actionable policy recommendation that can guide our leadership and decision-makers in making effective implementation of Nepal-China strategic partnership of cooperation.
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