China, Nepal pledge stronger ties

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in Beijing on Tuesday, emphasizing the importance of deepening bilateral cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Xi hailed Nepal as a "good neighbor, friend and partner," stressing the stable and respectful ties between the two nations, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

"China places China-Nepal relations in an important position in its neighborhood diplomacy," Xi said, pledging to enhance the strategic cooperative partnership for mutual prosperity.

Highlighting connectivity, Xi said China is ready to help Nepal transform from a "landlocked country" to a "land-linked country" by advancing projects in ports, transportation, power grids and communications. He also encouraged Chinese businesses to invest in Nepal to support its economic development.

Oli, who broke a longstanding tradition by choosing to visit China first instead of India for his inaugural foreign trip, called the China-Nepal relationship one of "friendship, equality and respect."

He praised China's assistance in Nepal's development and expressed a desire for more Chinese investment.

"Nepal firmly adheres to the one-China principle and does not allow any force to use Nepali territory for anti-China activities," Oli assured Xi, adding that Nepal opposes any foreign interference in China's internal affairs.

Launched in 2013 with the aim of revitalizing East-West trade on the historic Silk Road route, the Belt and Road Initiative has constituted a significant share of China's overseas investments with infrastructure, transportation, communication and other connectivity projects over the last 10 years.