Nepal Foreign Affairs (KATHMANDU, Jan 17) – Former Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has reiterated Nepal’s long-standing One China policy.
Inaugurating a two-day China-Nepal Think Tank Conference organised by Xinhua News Agency Kathmandu Bureau in the Capital on Tuesday Oli said,”One China policy is Nepal’s policy, it is Nepal’s official policy. It’s not a policy of one particular party, it is a policy of all political parties of Nepal.”
Hinting towards some mistakes committed by some parties and their leaders while dealing with the Chinese sensitivities, Former Prime Minister Oli said, ”Nepal cannot be deviated from its firm commitment of One China policy.”
Oli applauded Chinese leadership saying that the Chinese government has proved of being friend of Nepal in the time of crisis of Nepal. ”People of Nepal have taken China as trusted friend. If some parties and leader miss this way, this cannot be official and sustainable” he said.
Oli reminded the historic agreements made between Nepal and China during his official visit to China in March 2016 and complained that the incumbent government didn’t implement these agreements.
”China is always supporting Nepal’s development. China has never interfered in the domestic affairs of others” Oli said adding “The OBOR is Chinese President Xi Jinping’s dream project. Nepal can be benefited from this project. This is an opportunity for Nepal.”
Oli was the first Prime Minister of Nepal who signed Transport Transit agreement with China ending the Nepal’s sole dependence over India on transit and trade. Similarly, Oli had reiterated the connectivity between the two countries focusing in rail connectivity.
In his visit, both the countries agreed to carry out feasibility study of rail connectivity from Keiring- Kathmandu-Pokhara to Lumbini. As per the agreement, feasibility study has been completed by a Chinese firm.
The Think Tank Conference was organized by Xinhua News Agency Kathmandu Bureau and Nepal Study Centre at Heibei University of Economics &Business, China with an aim to boost bilateral relations. This is first kind of conference in Nepal where experts and academia representing different Think Tank of both the countries are participating to make strategies and policies for the future.