NEPAL-CHINA STATEMENT AFTER PM WEN VISIT
Kathmandu, 15 Jan: Eight-point joint Nepal/ China statement issued Saturday at the end of a brief official Nepal visit to Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.
1 The two sides reviewed the time-tested Nepal-China friendly relations and noted with satisfaction that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1955, China-Nepal relations have been growing in a consistent, steady and healthy manner. The relationship is characterised by equality, harmonious coexistence, ever-lasting friendship and comprehensive cooperation.
The two sides maintained that China-Nepal relationship is of vital significance to both the countries. Deepening bilateral friendship and cooperation serve the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples, and are conducive to peace, stability and development in the region and the world at large. The two sides decided to further promote Nepal-China friendly relations of Comprehensive Partnership of Cooperation Featuring Ever-lasting Friendship on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
2 The two sides reiterated their commitment to respect each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, choice of social system and development path chosen in light of their respective national conditions, and respect and understand each other’s major concerns and core interests. The two sides further reiterated that they adhere to the principles of the United Nations as enshrined in the Charter, five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, non-alignment and non-intervention in each other’s internal affairs, and develop friendly exchanges and cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. Both sides agreed to share development experiences and technological advancement, and enhance all round cooperation so as to achieve mutual development and prosperity.
Both sides believed that high-level contacts are of special importance to the development of bilateral relations. The two sides agreed to maintain the momentum of high-level mutual visits, and have meetings between the leaders on the multilateral occasions. The two sides agreed to make full use of the existing mechanisms, including the diplomatic consultations and the Nepal-China Joint Economic and Trade Committee Meeting. The two sides also agreed to form a Consultation Mechanism at the level of Minister for Foreign Affairs.
3 The Nepali side reiterated that there is only one China in the world, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the
whole of China. Both Taiwan and Tibet are integral parts of the Chinese territory.
The Chinese side reiterated its commitment to the policy of non-interference in the internal affairs, and expressed firm support to the efforts made by the Nepali side in upholding its independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, national unity and stability. As a close neighbour of Nepal, the Chinese side is pleased to see the progress achieved in the peace process in Nepal and sincerely hopes that Nepal will realise peace, stability and prosperity including the drafting of a new constitution in the near future. The Nepali side highly appreciated the goodwill shown by friendly neighbour China at this historic transition.
4 The two sides agreed to further intensify cooperation in socio-economic development, promotion of trade and tourism, hydropower, transportation infrastructure development and other fields on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.
The Chinese side agreed to expedite the implementation of various development projects, including the upgrading and expansion of existing Ring Road of Kathmandu and Tatopani Dry Port.
An Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation was signed between the Government of Nepal and the Government of the People’s Republic of China.
The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation to ensure the construction of the Upper Trisuli 3A hydropower project with concessional loan of the Chinese government. The Nepali side welcomed Chinese participation in the construction of Pokhara International Airport, and the Chinese side took a positive attitude to this.
The two sides congratulated the official opening of the second Nepal-China land route of Syaphrubesi-Rasuwa Gadhi Road. Both sides agreed to give full attention to the geographic proximity, and improve connectivity, particularly, the land transportation infrastructure between the two countries, to facilitate bilateral exchanges, cooperation and business ties. The two sides maintained that the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and Nepal should make full potentials and take their respective advantages to strengthen people to people exchanges in the border areas, and to promote trade, tourism, and the flow of goods and services to expand mutually beneficial cooperation.
The Chinese side stated that China encourages and supports competent and well-established Chinese companies and enterprises to promote investment and joint ventures in Nepal, and will provide financing assistance including loans of concessional nature, to mutually agreed projects. The Nepali side stated that Nepal appreciated and welcomed the offer made by the Chinese side. During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding on Operationalisation of Loan Mechanism was also signed between the Ministry of Finance of the Government of Nepal and the Export-Import Bank of China. The two sides agreed to continue discussions regarding the bilateral Agreement on the Business Investment Promotion and Protection of Investment.
5 The two sides believed that strengthening border areas management and development serves the common interests of both the countries. Both sides agreed to make joint efforts to build a boundary of peace, tranquillity, friendship and cooperation. The two sides signed the Agreement on the Management of Ports in Nepal-China Border Areas and the Agreement on Trans-frontier Pasturing by Border Inhabitants.
The two sides applauded the cooperation between the Ministry of Public Security of China and the Ministry of Home Affairs of Nepal, and agreed to improve the meeting mechanism between law-enforcement authorities of the two countries, and to deepen cooperation on border management and law-enforcement capacity-building, so as to uphold peace and stability of China-Nepal border areas.
6 The two sides were pleased with the momentum of bilateral people to people and cultural exchanges and announced the year 2012 as “Nepal-China Year of Friendly Exchanges”. The two sides agreed to promote exchanges and cooperation in the areas of culture and education and between youths, media, think tanks, scholars and friendship groups of the two countries.
The two sides signed the Agreement on Cultural Cooperation, and agreed to enhance cultural exchanges and cooperation. Both sides believed that China Festival held regularly in Nepal by the Chinese side has promoted cultural exchanges between the two countries, and agreed to continue the Festival. Both sides also agreed on the mutual visits between their cultural and arts group. Both sides noted with appreciation that since the establishment of the youth exchange mechanism in 2009, the youth delegations of the two countries have realised mutual visits. The two sides also agreed to expand tourism cooperation and support each other’s promotional activities in their respective countries.
7 The two sides positively view and support each other’s participation in regional cooperation, and agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation in various regional cooperation mechanisms.
8 The two sides believed that the official visit of Premier Wen Jiabao to Nepal took Nepal-China relations to a new height. It also served as a milestone in the annals of Nepal-China bilateral friendly relations and cooperation. The Chinese side expressed its appreciation to the government and people of Nepal for their gracious hospitality.
Premier Wen Jiabao extended an invitation to Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai to pay an official visit to China at a mutually convenient time. Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai accepted the invitation with delight.
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