Visiting President of People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping in a state dinner announced a ‘support’ of 3.5 billion RMB (more than NRS 56 billion) for ‘uplifting the living standard of the Nepali people’. While the exact details of the support are yet to be shared, the amount will be divided between ‘grants and soft loans’ – all towards developing the infrastructure of the nation. He assured that more reliable and easier connectivity facility between the two countries would be constructed in the near future.
China will be expediting the development of Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity infrastructure, he said, “we want to support Nepal in realising its dream to become a land-linked country from the landlocked country.” He announced that China will provide support in conducting the feasibility study of Keyrung-Kathmandu railway, upgrading the Arniko Highway and constructing Keyrung-Kathmandu tunnel way.
President Xi expressed his commitment to further support in the post-quake reconstruction, promoting Visit Nepal Year 2020, support education sector and urban development in the country.
President Xi, who arrived in Kathmandu on Saturday evening, is responding to an invitation extended by Nepal’s President Bidhya Devi Bhandari when the two met in Beijing in April. The state visit, one of the highest state official to visit Nepal, is expected to cement Nepal-China relationship for the future generation.
Addressing the banquet, President Bhandari reiterated Nepal’s commitment towards China – she said Nepal believed in ‘One China Policy’ and said she wouldn’t allow any ‘force to use Nepali land against China’, for example Hong Kong Protests or Tibetan Protests. “One-China policy” is a policy asserting that there is only one sovereign state under the name China, as opposed to the idea that there are two states, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China (ROC).”
In turn, President Xi thanked Nepal for supporting its ‘One China policy’, and said that China will as always support Nepal in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Furthermore, President Bhandari also urged China to invest in Nepal in its rich energy, infrastructure, and tourism sectors, and assured China that Nepal would ‘protect their investment’.
