Nepal Foreign Affairs (KATHMANDU, 12 June 2016) – The visiting Nepalese delegation led by Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun ‘Pasang’ today attended various important events held in Kunming, China and met with high dignitaries of the Chinese Government.
In the morning, he observed the Dianchi International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the venue of the 4th China-South Asia Expo and the 24th Kunming Fair. Following the observation tour of stalls including over a hundred of Nepalese exhibitors, Vice President delivered his opening statement at a spectacularly choreographed opening ceremony.
He highlighted the importance of the expo and fair in fostering economic, social, cultural and people to people exchanges between China and South Asia. He expressed his belief that the ‘One Belt One Road initiative’ will have its substantial role in further developing our economic ties towards contributing regional development and harmony, a press release issued by Nepal’s Embassy in China has mentioned.
The Vice President, together with the Vice Premier of China and other high level leaders of the South Asian and South East Asian countries, inaugurated the Expo and Trade Fair. In the afternoon, Vice President addressed the 11th China South Asia Business Forum stressing on the need to forge partnership and collaboration among China and South Asian countries for the realization of Asian dream of the 21st Century.
He called upon participating delegates and entrepreneurs to come and invest in Nepal’s vast untapped resources that are awaiting large scale investments. Following the official opening ceremony, he gave a special interview to the Kunming Television. Through the media he spoke about the friendly relations between Nepal and the People’s Republic of China and Nepal’s participation in the expo. He invited the Chinese entrepreneurs to Nepal and urged to explore the opportunities for investment.
The Vice Premier of the State Council of China Wang Yang called on the Vice President and exchanged views on various matters of mutual interest. The two leaders held that the relations between Nepal and China have witnessed a steady growth in recent years in political, economical, social, cultural and people to people contact. Vice President, stressing on the importance of exchange of visits conveyed that the people of Nepal are eagerly waiting to welcome the President of the People’s Republic of China to Nepal.
He also touched upon the Chinese economic assistance, new areas of cooperation, particularly those initiated during the visit of Prime Minister of Nepal to China this year and stressed on their timely implementation. Vice Premier Wang, echoing the feelings expressed by the Vice President on Nepal China friendship, stated that China will continue its friendly gesture and cooperation to Nepal on the basis of mutual respect and equality.
In response to the request of the Nepalese side to invite Chinese entrepreneurs to Nepal, the Chinese leader assured that he would encourage and support Chinese business community, while stressing on the need for political stability and favorable investment environment in Nepal. Wang hoped to have more business interactions and cultural as well as people to people exchanges under China’s Belt and Road Initiatives. On behalf of the President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari, Pun handed over a letter to the Chinese Vice Premier inviting the Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit Nepal.
Embassy of Nepal, Beijing Kunming, 12 June 2016