On the afternoon of June 24 local time, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who had just arrived in Kathmandu to attend the international conference on Nepal’s reconstruction, held talks with Foreign Minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey of Nepal. Wang Yi stressed that China and Nepal, linked by mountains and waters, are closely related and interdependent as lips and teeth and intimate to each other like brothers. The Chinese side is willing to actively participate in Nepal’s post-disaster reconstruction and offer all assistance within its available resources.
Mahendra Bahadur Pandey appreciated the Chinese government for sending a high-level delegation on a special trip to Nepal to attend the international conference on Nepal’s reconstruction. He introduced the casualties and losses Nepal suffered in the once-in-a-century great earthquake on April 25 and expressed heartfelt condolences to the Tibet Autonomous Region of China for its losses caused by the earthquake. Mahendra Bahadur Pandey said that after the earthquake, the Chinese leaders and government extended a hand to Nepal instantly, showing the profound friendship and solidarity between the two countries. The rescue team, medical team, epidemic prevention team and other teams sent by Chinese government and military are composed of well-trained and experienced members with touching professional ethics, expertise as well as exceptional bravery.
Mahendra Bahadur Pandey expressed that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China. In the past 60 years, the Chinese side has consistently supported the independence, development, peace and stability of Nepal. The Nepalese side stands ready to maintain close high-level exchanges with the Chinese side and continue to understand and support each other’s concerns. Nepal will never allow any force to engage in anti-China activities within its territory. The Nepalese side expects the two nations to strengthen connectivity in the border regions, improve border road conditions and intensify bilateral exchanges of goods and service trade.
On behalf of the Chinese government, Wang Yi again expressed profound sympathy and sincere condolences to the Nepalese government and people on the great earthquake happened on April 25. He said that both China and Nepal suffered from the same disaster during which the two governments and peoples supported each other, writing another moving chapter exemplifying the old saying “A friend in need is a friend indeed”. As a sincere friend of Nepal, the Chinese people stand steadfastly by the side of the Nepalese people when Nepal is confronted with difficulty. Soon after the disaster, the Chinese government sent a delegation to Nepal to evaluate the situation and learn about the reconstruction needs. After that, another three expert teams were sent to Nepal to conduct evaluation on the disaster situation. At the international conference on Nepal’s reconstruction, the Chinese side will announce a package plan for its participation in Nepal’s reconstruction. In the near future, the Chinese side will also send a governmental joint delegation to Nepal to communicate with the Nepalese side on the mid-term and long-term plans for reconstruction assistance. China expects to see Nepal take the reconstruction as an opportunity to promote the transformation and upgrading of its economy and society for sustainable development. The Chinese side is committed to the construction of regional connectivity and stands ready to actively consult with the Nepalese side in building relevant cross-border roads and border ports so as to boost the development of local economy and people’s livelihood.
Wang Yi stressed that Nepal’s post-disaster reconstruction is a long-term and large-scale project. Together with the Nepalese side, the Chinese side is willing to widely mobilize the international community for joint participation in the reconstruction. The political stability of Nepal is of great significance to the reconstruction. The Chinese side expects to see Nepal successfully complete its constitution and focus on the reconstruction.
Mahendra Bahadur Pandey expressed that a friend in need is a friend indeed. The Nepalese side is deeply moved by the generous help offered by the Chinese side. All parties in Nepal have reached a consensus that the constitutionalization process has entered into the key stage. With the encouragement and help from China and the international community, the Nepalese government and people will continue to maintain perseverance in reconstructing the homeland and stands ready to draw the experience of China and other countries to make good reconstruction plans and ensure the success of reconstruction projects.