KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 19
Standing Committee Member and Publicity Department Chief of Communist Party of China Yunnan Province Zeng Yan paid a courtesy call on Minister of Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma here today.
On the occasion, Minister Sharma expressed her confidence that crucial agreements would be reached in the areas of education, health, infrastructure and connectivity during the upcoming China visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
Minister Sharma, also the government spokesperson, said the Nepal-China relations that had been initiated since the era of Bhrikuti and Araniko had now turned both countries into good neighbours and reliable supporting nations.
Noting that Sino-Nepal relations have been expanding at the state and people's levels, she clarified that exchange of high-level visits from time to time would further help further strengthen relations.
Claiming that bilateral relations had reached a new height following the Chinese President's visit to Nepal, Minister Sharma expressed confidence that mutual cooperation would further increase after PM Dahal's China visit.
Sharing that Nepal has been reaping benefits from the progress China made in information and communications technology, she said the Chinese company has also played appreciable role in ICT development of Nepal.
Minister Sharma stressed the need to increase exchange of cooperation between the two countries in the production of human resources in IT sector and cyber security.
Minister Sharma said exchange of cooperation can be made with Yunnan province in the areas of media and connectivity.
To a query of the Chinese delegation regarding the status of media sector in Nepal, Minister Sharma said the government was working to promote media keeping press freedom at the centre.
Now some old laws are being amended and new laws are being drafted, she said, adding the media related laws have laid focus on press freedom, media strengthening and physical and professional safety of journalists.
Also, on the occasion, Yan said Nepal and China have enjoyed longstanding relations adding Yunnan province and Nepal have commonalities in geography, environment and multiethnic culture.
Saying that Yunnan province has witnessed good development of tourism, Yan said Nepal also has high potential for tourism promotion.
Expansion of people-to-people relations and easy mutual exchange of information would contribute to tourism promotion, the Chinese delegation chief said.
Yan expressed Chinese interests in the exchange of cooperation in media sector. She further said cultural exchange can be made at the global level through the province.
Officials from both sides were present at the meeting.
A version of this article appears in the print on September 20, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
