KATHMANDU, JULY 11
Minister of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal and visiting Communist Party of China foreign department Chief Liu Jiancho today jointly launched the 'Smiling Children' project.
The project was launched by offering food to students of Kathmandu Shanti Nikunja Secondary School. On the occasion, Minister Bhusal said, "Nepal is following the path of prosperity with the establishment of federal democratic republic system in the nation." She took time to speak on the need of economic and technical support of neighbouring China to accelerate its journey towards prosperity.
"Economic development is a must to implement the fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution.
We need China's assistance for the same."
Similarly, she expressed hope to get support from China in Nepal's industrialisation and economic development endeavours.
Stating that Nepal and China share deep people-to-people ties since centuries, Minister Bhusal said, "The friendly ties between the two nations are getting further consolidated on the basis of peace and co-existence. Mutual trust, cooperation, assistance and respect are the essences of bilateral ties that are founded on the principles of Panchasheel."
"Nepal has significantly benefited from China's economic and technical support, particularly in the areas of infrastructure development, health, education, water resources and sports. Nepal acknowledges the assistance from China in poverty alleviation sector as well," Minister Bhusal said. She also recalled the opportunities for Nepali students to pursue higher studies in China. "China is always Nepal's true friend during both the good and hard times," she said.
She expressed gratitude for its unconditional support during the 2015 earthquakes and the COV- ID-19 crisis in Nepal.
Similarly, the CPC senior leader described Nepal as a good friend of China. He said he was hopeful that bilateral ties would further be expanded to the people's level.
Terming children as the future of any nation, he said, "Children are the future of Nepal-China friendship.
When they are happy, their happiness will add a new dimension to bilateral relations, further consolidating it." He also pledged to provide continued support to Nepal's educational development through Global Development and the South-South Cooperation Fund. On the occasion, it was shared that the Smiling Project had been launched in 35 schools and that its beneficiaries were around 500,000 children.
A version of this article appears in the print on July 12, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
