Kathmandu, January 10:

A cross-section of Nepali scholars and professionals today urged a visiting delegation of Chinese scholars to help promote Nepal-China economic relations as a tool to promote people to people contact between the two countries.

At an interaction organised by NC’s head of International Relations Department Sujata Koirala at her residence, the scholars discussed various aspects of bilateral issues with the delegation from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The Chinese delegation was led by Professor Zhang Yuyan, a senior research fellow at the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies.

The speakers urged the delegates to help ease up the visa procedures for Nepali businessmen. “Nepal and Nepali Congress will always stand for One China policy,” they said. Nepal will not allow its soil for use against any of its neighbours — India and China in particular, according to them.

The speakers said China could invest in many sectors, including hydropower, information and communication technology, health, infrastructure development and tourism, in Nepal. They said Nepal could develop itself as a trade hub between India and China and stressed on the need to enhance Nepal-China connectivity through railway.

Professor Zhang Yuyan said China’s policy was to play a more positive role in the regional development.