Wang Yi Holds Talks with Nepali Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka

On March 26, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Nepali Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka in Kathmandu.

Khadka extended congratulations on the successful Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, the grand celebrations for the centenary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and the successful convening of the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee last year, and wishes in advance the 20th CPC National Congress a complete success. Noting that Nepal and China are good friends with traditional friendship, and good partners for development cooperation, Khadka said that Nepal is ready to work with China to fully implement the outcomes of President Xi Jinping's successful visit to Nepal in 2019, maintain close exchanges and deepen pragmatic cooperation, so as to constantly push Nepal-China relations to new heights.

Wang Yi said, China and Nepal, linked by mountains and rivers, have witnessed long-standing friendship between the two peoples. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 67 years ago, China and Nepal have always respected, trusted and supported each other. Whether in the challenging times of coping with the Nepal earthquake in 2015 or at the critical moment of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries have always stood together with mutual assistance, becoming a model of treating each other as equals, friendly coordination, mutual benefit and win-win outcome between neighboring countries. No matter how the international landscape and the domestic situations in the two countries evolve, China will unswervingly pursue friendly policies towards Nepal, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and advance the building of a China-Nepal community with a shared future along the course charted by the leaders of the two countries.

Wang Yi stressed, China supports Nepal in blazing a development path suited to its national conditions, pursuing independent domestic and foreign policies, and participating in Belt and Road cooperation to a greater extent. Noting that the all-round mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Nepal has been fruitful, Wang Yi said that China is ready to advance the key cooperation projects between the two sides at a faster pace, ensure the smooth running of land ports between the two countries, explore cross-border cooperation in electricity, and diversify and expand channels for economic, people-to-people and cultural exchanges. China will make efforts to advance cross-border railway projects between China and Nepal in particular, so as to build the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network. China is ready to help Nepal leverage its strengths in human resources, geographical location and natural ecosystem, and share the opportunities brought by China, so as to speed up its development and revitalization.

Khadka thanked the Chinese government and people for always extending a hand of solidarity and friendship at the most difficult and critical moment, and thanked China for supporting Nepal in safeguarding sovereignty and independence and opposing external interference. Khadka reiterated that Nepal firmly adheres to the one-China principle, firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests, and will never allow any forces to use Nepal's territory to undermine China and harm China's interests.

Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in vaccines and pandemic response. Wang Yi stressed, China will continue to provide vaccines and material support to help Nepal completely defeat the pandemic. Khadka said, Nepal, greatly heartened by China's strong support, has every confidence in defeating the pandemic.

The two sides believe that the China-Nepal cross-border railway project, planned by the leaders of both sides, bears the best wishes of the two peoples. The two sides should stay committed to realizing the long-cherished wishes of the older generation of leaders of the two countries to build the railway to Kathmandu, and make the Himalayas a bond of solidarity and cooperation between the two countries and a symbol of long-standing friendship.

The two sides exchanged views on multilateral affairs. Khadka said, Nepal appreciates and firmly supports the Global Development Initiative (GDI) put forward by President Xi Jinping, and believes that the GDI will inject robust impetus into the development and prosperity of developing countries, especially the least developed countries. Wang Yi said that China is ready to work with all parties, including Nepal, to jointly promote the implementation of the GDI and advance the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at a faster pace.

After the talks, the two sides jointly attended the signing ceremony of cooperation documents on economic technology, agriculture, infrastructure, and medical and health care, among others.