On March 21, 2016, Chinese President Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People with Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli of Nepal.
Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Nepal are close neighbors that enjoy generations of friendship and comprehensive cooperation. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have always conducted mutually beneficial cooperation and sought common development on the basis of equality and mutual respect. As developing countries, both China and Nepal are facing the historic missions of reform and development. It is hoped that both governments can inherit and carry forward the traditional friendship, and expand and strengthen practical cooperation in all fields to forge China-Nepal community of common destiny.
Xi Jinping stressed that China and Nepal need to strengthen the political leading role of high-level contacts, and ensure the China-Nepal relations advance steadily based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. It is hoped that both sides can promote the dovetailing of China’s “Belt and Road” initiative as well as the 13th Five-Year Plan with Nepal’s reconstruction and development plan, speed up the establishment of a China-Nepal free trade zone and advance post-earthquake reconstruction and production capacity cooperation. The two sides are expected to enhance cooperation in road, port construction and other areas to further improve connectivity of both sides. China supports both sides to discuss and develop long-term energy cooperation, and is willing to provide necessary policy convenience. The two sides should strengthen exchanges and cooperation at all levels in various fields including tourism, education, culture, youth and media, so as to further cement the friendship between the two nations. The two countries should beef up coordination in international and regional level, and expand cooperation in such new platforms as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The Chinese side hopes Nepal will benefit from development of China and India .The stability and development of Nepal conform to the common interests of China and India. Nepal can act as a bridge between China and India. We would like to further explore the trilateral cooperation among China, Nepal and India.
K.P. Sharma Oli said China is a great friend and friendly neighbor of Nepal. The traditional friendship between Nepal and China is deeply rooted in the hearts of both peoples. Nepal speaks highly of China’s adherence to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the neighborhood diplomacy featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and appreciates China’s support to Nepal’s post-earthquake reconstruction. Nepal firmly sticks to the One-China policy and will not allow any force to conduct activities that will impair China’s interests in its territory. Nepal is committed to promote in-depth development of Nepal-China relations on the basis of mutual respect, speaks highly of and will actively participate in the “Belt and Road” initiative construction, and looks forward to enhancing cooperation with China in various areas including trade, finance, connectivity, infrastructure as well as tourism and maintaining close communication and coordination in international affairs.
State Councilor Yang Jiechi attended the meeting.