China has clarified that the government did not consult with the Chinese government before the controversial procurement of medical supplies.
"On April 2, the Nepali side has raised commercial demand to the Chinese Government through the Nepali Embassy in Beijing. Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China is coordinating and working on that," Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi told media persons when asked if the Nepali government purchased the supplies from China through channels recommended by the Chinese government in an interaction. "According to the relevant procedure, if any country raises purchasing demands via diplomatic channel, the Embassy would report back to the headquarter and provide the list of qualified providers."
There has been controversy about procurement of substandard medical supplies from China including faulty rapid testing kits. The government on April 1 unilaterally revoked the contract with Omni Group, that had brought the first lot of medical supplies from China three days earlier citing the latter's inability to bring additional materials.
The decision came after allegations of corruption in the procurement process and the government itself conceded that the testing kits were not reliable and will not be used.
The government on April 2 then handed over the responsibility of bringing medical equipment from China to the Nepal Army (NA) through government to government arrangements.
Ambassador Yanqi's revelation clarifies that the government had not coordinated with the Chinese government for the controversial procurement of supplies and made contact only after revoking the contract with Omni Group.
She also pointed to Nepali help to China at difficult time and assured China will do the utmost to help Nepal. "During the most difficult time for China to fight the epidemic, the whole Nepal has given valuable support to the Chinese side which the Chinese people will never forget," she pointed. "When the epidemic is spreading to Nepal, China is also doing its utmost to provide help to Nepal."
