Kathmandu: Nepal’s ruling coalition partner, CPN (Maoist Centre) on Sunday urged visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to expedite implementation of infrastructure projects linked to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The Maoist Centre made this request during a meeting between the Chinese Foreign Minister and former Prime Minister and Maoist Centre Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ today.
The Maoist Centre said that taking forward the infrastructure projects under the BRI are considered important for Nepal’s economic and social development and would have a positive impact. Wang arrived here on Friday on a three-day visit at the invitation of Foreign Minister Dr Narayan Khadka.
Maoist leader Shakti Basnet said during the meeting they drew the attention of the Chinese Foreign Minister to create an environment conducive for the smooth operation of the Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi checkpoints which have not come into regular operation for long due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to him, various dimensions of the Nepal-China relations were also discussed on the occasion, reports said. Maoist Centre Chair Prachanda, expounding on the friendly ties between Nepal and China, reiterated Nepal’s commitment of not allowing any anti-China activities on Nepali soil.
”Nepal is always steadfast on the one-China policy and we will not allow Nepal’s territory to be used against any country,” he said.
Prachanda said they believe that projects related to BRI to which China has committed and which are tied to Nepal’s economic development should be taken forward. Wang was also urged to help reduce Nepal’s trade deficit with China.
The Maoist Center leadership also offered a ‘special’ thanks to the Government of China for its assistances to Nepal during the pandemic. The Chinese minister said that Beijing would continue its assistances in the economic and social development of Nepal. Present during the meeting were also Maoist Center leaders Narayan Kaji Shrestha and personal secretary of Chair Dahal Ramesh Malla.
The Chinese Foreign Minister paid a courtesy call on President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari on Sunday. Various matters of Nepal-China relations were discussed on the occasion. Wang also met with former Prime Minister and Chairman of CPN-UML K P Sharma Oli. On Saturday, Wang Yi held a meeting with his Nepali counterpart Dr Narayan Khadka.
The two countries have signed nine agreements to further bolster cooperation between Nepal and China. On Saturday, he paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. Prior to that, he met with a delegation from the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. During the talks, a nine-point memorandum of understanding was reached. The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi concluded his three-day official visit to Nepal on later on Sunday. Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal and other officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs saw the Chinese delegation led by Minister Wang off at the Tribhuvan International Airport.
