China says Xi Jinping's Nepal visit not cancelled

KATHMANDU: China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday said Chinese President Xi Jinping's purported Nepal visit has not been cancelled.

During a regular press briefing in Beijing today, the Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokesperson, Hua Chunying, told reporters China and Nepal were communicating through diplomatic channels for the high-level exchanges.

In response to a query made with reference to media reports that said Xi's Nepal visit was cancelled, she said it would be improper to say that the Chinese president's visit was cancelled.

The Chinese official, however, said the date for Xi's Nepal visit is yet to be fixed and both the countries are in close communication with each other over the matter.

She stressed on the importance of China-Nepal relationship and promoting it further.

"The Chinese side commends the new Nepali government for their continuous emphasis on relations with China. Guided by the concept of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, we will work with Nepal to strive for new progress in bilateral relations," the official English translation of her response reads.

Earlier last week, some media had reported that the Chinese side postponed the visit citing lack of preparedness on the Nepali side and its lack of commitment to China's One Belt One Road project.

Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, had refuted the reports.

MoFA sources have been claiming that the government is expecting the Chinese leader to visit Nepal in October, before or after the BRICS Summit to be held in India.

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Q. According to reports in Nepal, the Chinese leader will postpone or cancel his visit to Nepal scheduled for October. Can you confirm and give us more details? How does China view its relationship with Nepal after Prachanda took the helm as prime minister?

A. We have been in communication with the Nepali side through the diplomatic channel about high-level exchanges between the two countries. The Chinese side commends the new Nepali government for their continuous emphasis on relations with China. Guided by the concept of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, we will work with Nepal to strive for new progress in bilateral relations.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China

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