China to provide Rs 2.5 billion worth of humanitarian, relief equipment

KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ishwor Pokharel and his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe on Saturday signed a memorandum of understanding on military cooperation between Nepal and China, which states that Chinese government will provide over Rs 2.5 billion worth of humanitarian and disaster relief equipment to Nepal.

The assistance will be delivered in the next five years, said the Embassy of Nepal in China.

Prior to signing the agreement, both the leaders held talks about mutual benefits and bilateral issues.

During the meeting, both the leaders said the exchange of high level meeting between the two countries would help increase trust and confidence among high level political leadership of the countries. The discussion also mentioned Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's recent formal visit to China.

On the occasion, DPM Pokharel mentioned the importance of cooperation in military training, humanitarian aid, disaster management, medical equipment and peace keeping operations between the two countries. He also requested for China's support in establishing Defence University in Nepal.

In response, Wei stressed military cooperation and partnership between the two countries, while saying that he has taken China's support for establishing Defence University positively. He also appreciated Nepal's one China policy and its continuous support on Tibet issue.