KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 1

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that his official visit to China has further strengthened the climate of mutual confidence between the two countries.

He informed today's House of Representatives meeting about his participation in the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly and the official visit to China, asserting that the visit to China has played a key role in further strengthening the historical relations between the two countries.

'My latest visit to China is the first high-level visit from Nepal after Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Nepal in 2019. My visit has consolidated the climate of mutual trust between Nepal and China in the context of high-level visits being scarce due to the COVID-19 pandemic,' he said.

Stating that his discussions with the Chinese President and Prime Minister during the visit have helped elevate Nepal-China ties to new heights, the Head of the Government maintained that commitment has been expressed for implementing the memorandum of understanding reached in the past.

'During the delegation-level talks and discussions held with the Chinese President and Prime Minister, they expressed full support for the views I presented, which emphasized that our relations should focus on increasing trade, investment, inter-country transport networks, and economic and social partnership with China,' PM Dahal recalled.

He informed the House that during the high-level meetings with Chinese leaders, discussions were held on the construction of transmission lines in the northern border region, installation of solar power in areas in the border region where electricity cannot be reached through the central transmission line, and the construction and upgrading of various roads.

Similarly, he said discussions were held on expanding cooperation in the health and agriculture sectors, reopening border transit points and traditional border crossing points that were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the construction of infrastructures on the Nepalese side at the border transit points and advanced laboratories.

The PM stated that extensive discussions were also held on operating direct flights from China to Pokhara International Airport to deepen Nepal-China people-level ties, collaborating in the science and technology sectors, and expanding bilateral trade.

'Discussions were held on the actions both sides needed to take to elevate bilateral relations to new heights while Nepal remains committed to the one-China principle and the Nepal-China ties continue to be based on the principles of panchasheel (the five principles of peaceful co-existence), cordial friendship, mutual cooperation and respect, international norms and values, and the law,' he further stated.

The Prime Minister said that he had the opportunity to attend the inauguration ceremony of the 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China, during his visit to the northern neighbor and to motivate Nepali players. The Asiad was inaugurated by the Chinese President in the presence of the Heads of State and Government of various nations.

He informed the House that before visiting China, he participated in the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA, and also addressed the high-level session on behalf of Nepal.

PM Dahal stated that in his address to the high-level session, he highlighted Nepal's peace process and the international community's cooperation needed to bring it to a concrete conclusion. He also discussed the climate change issue and its impact on Nepal and other least developed countries.

The PM emphasized ways of resolving these pressing problems, the challenges faced by Himalayan countries, and the obstacles faced by least developed countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).