On March 21, 2016, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang held talks at the Great Hall of the People with Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli of Nepal who is paying an official visit to China and will attend the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2016.
Li Keqiang said, as two friendly neighboring countries linked by rivers and mountains, China and Nepal have always respected each other and treated each other as equals since the establishment of the diplomatic relations, setting up a good example of good neighborly relations and cooperation for mutual benefit. China appreciates Nepal’s adherence to the One-China policy. China backs Nepal’s efforts in safeguarding sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, abstains from interfering in Nepal’s internal affairs, and supports the Nepalis to choose its own development path.
China hopes to see a peaceful and prosperous Nepal, and is willing to deepen political mutual trust, strengthen all-round mutual contacts, expand bilateral and regional cooperation for mutual benefit, and communicate, coordinate, and cooperate closely in international and regional affairs, so as to promote mutual development and to maintain regional stability and world peace.
Li Keqiang pointed out that China is willing to enhance practical cooperation with Nepal in key fields. China will press ahead connectivity, cross-border infrastructure construction and transportation, and the building of cross-border economic cooperation zone. China will seize the opportunity of Nepal’s post-earthquake reconstruction to carry out production capacity cooperation, and enhance cooperation in such fields as building materials, development of water resources and hydro-power, and organic agriculture.
China will expand bilateral cooperation in the trade of oil products, exploration and refinement of gas and oil, and renewable energy resources. China will promote a more diverse and sustainable two-way trade, launch a joint feasibility study on a bilateral free-trade agreement and initiate negotiation as early as possible. China encourages eligible China-funded banks to set up branches in Nepal and hopes that Nepal will provide convenience and support. China will enlarge the people-to-people and cultural exchanges in such fields as regional and tourism exchanges, enhance communication and cooperation in law enforcement, and jointly fight against illegal border crossings and cross-border crimes so as to maintain peace and stability of the border areas and promote the development and prosperity of both countries.
Khadga Prasad Oli said that the Nepal-China traditional friendship has a solid foundation, and it can withstand the influence of any external factors. It sets a good example of bilateral relationship for countries of different systems or sizes. Both countries have based their extensive cooperation on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and have long respected each other’s core interests. Nepal adheres to the One-China policy and will not tolerate within Nepal’s territory any activities that might harm China’s interests. Nepal thanks China for its consistent support to Nepal’s efforts in safeguarding its independence and promoting its development.
Nepal also appreciates China’s policy towards the neighboring countries guided by the principles of sincerity, amity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and wishes China success in its implementation of the 13th Five-Year Plan. Nepal hopes it can benefit from China’s peaceful development, and is willing to maintain high-level exchanges with China, actively engage in the Belt and Road initiative, and enhance cooperation with China in such areas as infrastructure construction, energy, agriculture, finance, cross-border trade, tourism and education, so as to promote the sustained development of the well-founded Nepal-China relations.
Prior to the talks, Li Keqiang held a welcoming ceremony for Khadga Prasad Oli at the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People. Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Qi Xuchun and others attended the ceremony.
After the talks, the Chinese Premier and Nepali Prime Minister jointly witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperative documents in the areas of transportation, cross-border trade, energy and finance.