China's support for Nepal's journey to prosperity

The official visit of Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi this weekend is not only expected to take the centuries-old  relations between the two countries to new heights but also ensure that problem-free Nepal-China relations become a reliable partnership in Nepal's journey of prosperity.

The visit, which is taking place after a hiatus of three years by a veteran diplomat is expected to be productive in further strengthening cooperation and partnership between Nepal and China on issues of common concern and mutual interest. Foreign Minister Wang is a senior diplomat and an old friend of Nepal, who is aware of the development aspirations of Nepal and its people. His visit is expected to be fruitful in taking the cooperative relations between the two countries to a new height.

After Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's meet in July last year, Foreign Minister Wang is the first highest foreign dignitary visiting Nepal. It will be a golden opportunity to promote Nepal's national interest and expand the scope of cooperation. The government has made Nepal's national interest and development needs and priorities as its agenda to increase partnership and cooperation with China, the world's emerging power, during his stay here.

Foreign Ministry official said that Nepal would hold discussions with a delegation led by Foreign Minister Wang focusing on the implementation of cooperation projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a multi-billion dollar infrastructure development project put forward by China. The two side will dwell on upgrading Nepal from a least developed country to a middle-income country by 2030 and build physical infrastructures such as ports, roads, railways, air transport and communications within the Trans-Himalayan Multidimensional Connectivity Network to support Nepal's development agenda of achieving sustainable development goals. He said that the Chinese Foreign Minister was visiting Nepal to convey the message of China's commitment to implement the BRI and its Framework Agreement that could not move forward for the past five years owing to the pandemic. China has already proposed the project implementation plan of BRI with Nepal for final approval and the Government of Nepal is ready to finalize it during this visit.

During the talks between the Foreign Ministers of Nepal and China on Saturday, the Nepali side is all set to request for joint inspection of the border, which has been stalled for more than a decade, reopening of Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani, major trade ports between Nepal and China, resumption of flights and addressing the problems faced by the Nepali students who were back home to escape the pandemic, the official shared.

The Foreign Ministry official also shared that Nepal would raise issues including the implementation of the agreements reached during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Nepal and the visit of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to China. Discussions are underway between various ministries of the Government of Nepal to finalize the agenda of the meeting between Chinese and Nepali Foreign Minister on Saturday.

During the visit of the Chinese Foreign Minister, an agreement will be signed to export grass from Nepal and Nepal will receive additional Chinese grant under technical and economic assistance. "Discussions between senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance on the annual assistance to Nepal under grant and technical and financial assistance is in the process of finalization", an official at the Ministry of Finance told RSS. The official also said that China has hinted to increase its annual aid this year.

Such visits from time to time will help in understanding each other and addressing the grievances as well as renewing the relationship. The age-old Nepal-China friendship that has been nurtured by Araniko and Bhrikuti has been flourishing since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1955. The tradition of friendly cooperation and high-level visits have further enhanced our bond of affinity for the mutual benefit of two countries.