Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said Nepal-China relations have civilisational roots and cultural closeness and that Nepal deeply values time-tested friendship with China.
PM Oli said so while addressing a reception hosted by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nepal to celebrate teh 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China, the neighbours.
“Nepal firmly adheres to the One China Principle. In return, China has consistently respected Nepal’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence. We deeply value this time-tested friendship—with China as both a close neighbour and a trusted development partner” said PM Oli.
The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have long anchored our engagement. In times of joy and in moments of difficulty, we have stood by each other. Our bond draws strength from deep civilisational roots and cultural closeness. It is enriched by mutual respect and strengthened by people-to-people ties, said the PM.
“We attach much significance to durable and time-tested friendship. In the course of the relations, various historic moments are witnessed—in 2019, Chinese President Xi Jinping had a historic visit to Nepal. It elevated our status of a strategic cooperation and partnership based on mutual trust and friendship for the development and prosperity,” PM Oli reminded.
Moreover, he argued that his official visit to China in 2024 and meeting with high-level dignitaries was very fruitful. It verified Nepal’s commitment to cooperation. The signing of the Belt and Road Initiatives Framework made our common resolution robust.
He appreciated the Chinese assistance to Nepal in the development of infrastructure and connectivity. Similarly, there is expanding cooperation in agriculture, trade, transit, energy, health, digital technology and climate resilience, the PM observed.
“The recent flash flood in the Lhende stream on the Nepal-China border caused massive damage. It reinforced the urgency of joint initiatives in the Himalayan development with early warning, exchange of information and sustainable works,” PM Oli recalled, adding that Nepal gives much importance to the collaboration with China for the conservation of the Himalayas and fragile ecosystem on the Himalayan border.
Moreover, the head of the government appreciated the unprecedented development and achievements made by China, e.g., lifting millions of people out of poverty, launching innovation, and leading sustainable development and international collaboration. These initiatives have contributed not only to the nation’s particular but also to the entire global stability and progress, he hailed.
PM Oli further viewed that Nepal is also inspired by Chinese development and achievements and is forwarding its national ambition: Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali.
Addressing the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, shared happiness on the occasion of the 70th anniversary and appreciated Nepal’s role in BRI.
Many dignitaries including former Prime Ministers Sher Bahadur Deuba, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai and Jhala Nath Khanal also attended the ceremony.
