China, Nepal hold videoconference on COVID-19 prevention, control

Deng Boqing, vice-chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), conferred on COVID-19 prevention and control with Nepal's Finance Secretary Sishir Kumar Dhungana via video link on May 14.

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi attended the meeting.

Deng said that China and Nepal have a profound traditional friendship. Under the leadership of the two heads of state, the strategic partnership of cooperation featuring everlasting friendship for development and prosperity between the two countries is seeing further growth. 

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, he noted, China and Nepal have strived to work together to fight against the epidemic and to overcome the difficulties. In response to the recent severe COVID-19 situation in Nepal, the Chinese government, in addition to the donation of vaccines and emergency supplies, has invited relevant government departments and medical specialists to exchange policies, measures and experience in the anti-virus fight with the Nepalese side.

In the next stage, China is willing to continue to provide Nepal with support within its capacity to combat the epidemic and to help Nepal with economic and social recovery and development, he said.

Dhungana affirmed the timely and necessary exchanges between the two countries. He expressed appreciation to the Chinese government for its long-term support for Nepal's economic and social development, especially its selfless assistance since the COVID-19 outbreak, and said he believes that the bilateral exchanges will help Nepal to overcome the epidemic at an early date.

Wei Xiaodong, deputy director-general of the Department of Consular Affairs of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officials from China's National Immigration Administration and experts from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Sinopharm Group and the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) sector introduced China's policies and measures in entry administration and COVID-19 prevention and control. They also had in-depth exchanges with Nepalese officials and health experts about issues of concern to the Nepalese side, including diagnosis and treatment protocols for COVID-19 and TCM application.