China pledges full support for Nepal's socio-economic development

KATHMANDU: Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, has expressed China's readiness to provide full support to Nepal for its socio-economic development.

In an interaction jointly organised by the China Media Group Asia Pacific and Sino Nepal Media Society in Kathmandu on Tuesday, Ambassador Song reiterated China's desire to witness Nepal's economic growth.

He stated that the projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) were in Nepal's interest, and the reform plans outlined by the recent Third Plenum of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) were significant for neighbouring countries like Nepal.

The Ambassador expressed confidence that the citizens of both countries would greatly benefit from these reform plans. "These reforms will advance network building to connect Nepal and China across the Himalayas and optimise Nepal's agriculture, industry, trade, digital technology, energy, and tourism sectors, thereby opening up opportunities for prosperity," he added.

On a different note, the Ambassador said that the Third Plenum of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC also conveyed China's consistent commitment to reform and openness.

According to him, the CPC is embarking on a new journey in a new era by resolutely pursuing reforms and openness.

Similarly, Bishnu Rijal, a central committee member of the CPN (UML), asserted that Nepal and China, which strongly uphold views such as universal equality, mutual interest, and long-lasting friendship, share a cordial relationship.

"This is the basis of the trouble-free friendship between the two countries. China has been generously supporting Nepal's development efforts, while Nepal has always considered China's concerns," Rijal observed. He expressed his belief that the governments of both countries would soon decide on the modality for implementing the BRI, paving the way for these projects.

He expressed happiness that the relationship between Nepal and China was intensifying at the people-to-people level, which he said has greatly helped increase understanding and mutual interest between the two friendly countries.

Likewise, Kishor Shrestha, Chairman of the Nepal-China Media Forum, acknowledged that Nepal and the rest of the world could learn a great deal from China's development and prosperity.

He argued that the communication sector would play an important role in strengthening people-to-people ties to sustain mutual cooperation and assured that media institutions were dedicated to authentic, impartial, and responsible journalism.

Also speaking at the programme, China Media Group Asia Pacific Director Cao Yi admired the warmth and sincerity of Nepalis, which he said embodied Nepal's identity. He mentioned that every time he visits Nepal, he feels like visiting an 'old friend's house'. He assessed that Nepal was pursuing a pathway for development and striving to achieve independence, self-strengthening, development, and prosperity. He figuratively said that relations between the peoples of the two countries were as high as the highest mountain, Sagarmatha.

Similarly, Sino Nepal Media Society's Chairman Dhruba Paudel opined that such events would be useful in further bolstering the ties between the two countries.

(With inputs from RSS)