Kathmandu, March 27

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today claimed that unhindered access to sea through Chinese land as part of the transit transportation agreement for landlocked Nepal was one of the important achievements of his China visit.

Addressing the media at the VVIP lounge of the Tribhuvan International Airport upon his arrival after a week-long China visit, PM Oli said China welcomed the promulgation of the constitution, terming it a historic progress in the political transition of Nepal.

He said China hoped Nepal could use the opportunity to ensure political stability and economic development. PM said the main objective of his visit was to lay the foundation of long-term Nepal-China economic ties for economic development and prosperity of Nepal.

He said he visited the neighbouring countries to ensure their support for Nepal’s prosperity following the promulgation of constitution.

He claimed that the government had a policy of not comparing its relationship with the two neighbours. He said the government was for further strengthening the existing relations with them.

PM Oli said high-level authorities had assured him of strengthening bilateral relationship.

He added that he was expecting a high-level visit to Nepal from China in 2016, as he had invited Premier Li Keqiang on his behalf and President Xi Jinping on behalf of President Bidhya Bhandari to visit Nepal.

Answering queries on behalf of PM Oli, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa said Nepal’s relationship with both its neighbours was different and there was no need to compare the relations with each of them.

He said the agreements signed with China would come into effect immediately. The PM and his team were welcomed by Speaker Onsari Gharti, Deputy PMs Bhim Rawal and Chitra Bahadur KC, besides ministers and UML leaders at TIA.