KATHMANDU, Feb. 28 (Xinhua)– Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has reiterated that Nepal and China will carry out bilateral development cooperation projects under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China.
Dahal made such remarks when Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong met the prime minister at his official residence on Tuesday morning.
The prime minister informed the ambassador that his government is working for the effective implementation of previous agreements reached between China and Nepal to enhance cross-border connectivity, trade and physical infrastructure development in Nepal, according to the Foreign Relations Advisor to Prime Minister, Rishiraj Adhikari.
“I am confident bilateral cooperation projects will be carried out under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China,” Adhikari quoted the prime minister as saying.
Nepal initially signed a framework Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China in December 2014 though it has yet to finalize cooperation projects to be developed under the initiative.
“Now the foreign ministries of the two countries are holding negotiations to finalize another MoU for cooperation projects to be developed under the Belt and Road Initiative in future,” Advisor Adhikari said.
Nepal and China agreed to enhance cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative introduced by the Chinese leadership when Former Prime Minister K.P Sharma Oli visited Beijing in March last year.
“Regarding Nepal-China bilateral cooperation, both sides agreed to synergize each other’s development planning, formulate appropriate bilateral cooperation programs and to carry out major projects under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative,” part of a joint communique issued during the former prime minister’s visit stated.
“Both sides agreed to strengthen connectivity, further step up the land and air links and improve the land transport infrastructure,” the communique stated.
The prime minister thanked the Chinese government for continuous support in Nepal’s infrastructure development while seeking more support from China in Nepal’s socio-economic development in the days to come.
During the meeting, the prime minister briefed the ambassador regarding his government’s preparations to hold the local body elections on May 14 this year.
“We expect goodwill and support from China as my government is in a crucial phase of constitution implementation and holding local body elections in May this year,” the prime minister told the ambassador.
Ambassador Yu noted that the two countries are enjoying excellent relations and China is ready to enhance support in Nepal’s physical infrastructure development. She also pledged to support in Nepal’s constitution implementation process and forthcoming elections as per the need and wishes of the Nepalese government and the people.