Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said on Wednesday India, China and Nepal are “natural friends” and India’s cooperation in developing connectivity projects for Nepal could one day lead to an economic corridor through the Himalayas for all three nations.
“Let me say China and Nepal have agreed on a long-term vision of a multi-dimensional cross-Himalaya connectivity network,” the PTI quoted Wang Yi as saying at a press briefing after his meeting with Nepali counterpart Pradeep Kumar Gyawali.
Wang pointed China and Nepal had already signed the Belt and Road Initiative – an agreement that could reduce Nepal’s dependence on New Delhi for trade transit. But he added that such a network, “when well developed can also create conditions for an economic corridor connecting China, Nepal and India”. Wang said he “hoped” for cooperation between the three countries.
“I believe that China, Nepal and India are natural friends and partners,” Wang stated. “We are neighbors connected by the same mountains and rivers, and as we say in China, family members and neighbors wish each other well.”
When asked if Gyawali’s visit to China was to balance the recent trip by Prime Minister (PM) KP Sharma Oli to India, Wang said the focus must be on trilateral cooperation between India, China and Nepal. Wang added that support for Nepal’s development should be a common understanding between China and India.
Addressing the briefing Gyawali said Nepal appreciates China’s neighborhood diplomacy guided by the principles of sincerity, amity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, according to a press statement issued by the Nepali Embassy in Beijing.
Gyawali stressed on the need to open more cross-border routes in the coming days, and for upgrading the facilities in the Rasuwagadhi/Keyrong and Tatopani/Zhangmu border points. The two sides also discussed early re-opening of Tatopani point
Gyawali pointed at the need to enhance Nepal's exports to China in order to reduce the widening trade gap and urged for Chinese support in that. Chinese Minister Wang Yi in response assured of providing better market access and urged utilizing opportunities provided by China's opening-up policies and reforms.
Full text of Foreign Minister Gyawali's address
State Councilor and Foreign Minister His Excellency Mr. Wang Yi
Dear friends from media,
Ladies and Gentleman,
- This is my first visit to China as the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal. This is my first bilateral visit. I have come to China after the formation of the new Government following the successful holding of elections of all three tiers of federal set up under the new constitution. I am thankful to the Government of China for the kind invitation and for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to me and my delegation.
- As State Councilor and Foreign Minister His Excellency Wang Yi just stated, we held very fruitful and comprehensive talks covering all important aspects of Nepal-China relations today. I am satisfied with the outcome of bilateral talks. I found genuine willingness on the part of the Government of China to support in our development efforts to make Nepal a prosperous country.
- Neighborhood constitutes topmost priority in our foreign policy. We attach great importance to our relations with China. In line with our principled position, I reiterated Nepal’s firm commitment to One China policy. We have the policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of any other countries. We appreciate China’s neighborhood diplomacy guided by the principle of sincerity, amity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. Our relations are guided by the ‘Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence’. Friendliness, cordiality, understanding, mutual cooperation, and appreciation of and respect for each other’s aspirations and sensitivities are the hallmarks of our relationship.
- Nepal and China have made significant strides in recent years. We have agreed to seize the available opportunities in both countries to take Nepal-China bilateral relations to a new level for mutual benefits.
- We comprehensively reviewed the progress made in the implementation of the agreements reached during the recent high-level visits including the visit of the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Mr. K. P. Sharma Oli to China in March 2016. Transit Transport Agreement and MoU on Launching the Joint Feasibility Study of Nepal-China FTA are among the key instruments signed during the visit. We exchanged our views on the draft protocol to the Transit Transport Agreement and agreed to intensify negotiations in the coming days for its early finalization. I requested His Excellency Foreign Minister to take supportive measures to correct the huge trade imbalance faced by Nepal in its trade with China.
- We also shared views on the implementation of MoU on Cooperation under the BRI. Nepal has expectation that the Initiative should contribute to the development of physical infrastructures, enhancing cross-border connectivity including railways and roads, promotion of trade, tourism and investment, and people-to-people relations. We shared our common views on the development of cross-border multi-dimensional transportation network.
- Nepal has undergone transformation of historic proportions in the last one decade. Our constitution is fully operational now with the conclusion of all elections and formation of Government at the centre and provinces with strong majority. Nepal has now entered into an era of peace, stability and development. The present Government’s topmost agenda ahead is economic transformation for the prosperity of the people of Nepal with the motto “Prosperous Nepal and Happy Nepalis”. In order to achieve these goals, the present Government of Nepal has accorded high priority to connectivity, which includes railways, highways, info ways and transmission lines between Nepal and China. We want partnership with China in these areas for mutual benefits in the coming days.
- We agreed to continue the regular exchange of high level visits and agreed to regularly convene the meetings of the established bilateral mechanisms.
- I thanked the Chinese Government for continuously supporting us in our development efforts. Through our joint efforts, important works have been initiated recently including the agreement to mobilize RMB 2 billion for projects related to reconstruction including Arniko Highway Repair Project and reconstruction projects for cross border bridges in Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi. We stressed the need for an early reopening of the Tatopani-Zhangmu port linking the Arniko Highway. We also agreed to upgrade existing border ports.
- We discussed about the early conduct of feasibility study and preparation of DPR of Nepal-China Cross Border Railway line stretching from Keyrong to Kathmandu and from Kathmandu to Pokhara and Lumbini.
- We agreed, in principle, to establish a coordination and implementation mechanism for identifying projects of mutual interest and benefit and to facilitating the effective implementation of the Chinese government’s aided projects.
- We also agreed to make joint efforts for tourism promotion of Nepal. We expect the support of the Chinese Government in publicizing the major tourist destinations of Nepal in major Chinese cities.
- We also shared our views and ideas on continuing our cooperation at regional and international forums on matters of common interest.
- It has been a rewarding and fruitful meeting. I thank, once again, State Councilor and Minister for Foreign Affairs H.E. Wang Yi for providing me this excellent opportunity. I have invited His Excellency Wang to visit Nepal at his earliest convenience to continue our dialogue further.
Thank you.
