Li sees growth for Nepal in Belt and Road

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said the Belt and Road Initiative would strengthen connectivity, trade and investment between China and Nepal.

Li made the remarks in a meeting with Nepalese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara on Thursday.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also attended the meeting. Mahara is on an official visit to China from September 6 to 11.

"China will work with Nepal to speed up the feasibility study of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the development of cross-border economic zones," Li said.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (2nd R) meets with Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara (2nd L) , and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) also attends the meeting in Beijing, capital of China on September 7, 2017. /AFP Photo

The premier suggested bilateral cooperation in energy, infrastructure, post-disaster reconstruction and tourism, assuring Nepal that China will do its best to support the Himalayan country's economic and social development.

"China hopes for unity among all factions in Nepal and smooth progress in their political agenda to usher in a new phase of lasting stability and prosperity for the country," Li said.

Li said China is ready to maintain high-level exchanges with Nepal to ensure bilateral cooperation benefits the two countries' development, their people as well as regional stability and prosperity.

Mahara said Nepal-China relationship is exemplary in following the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

Nepal will continue to adhere to the one-China policy, maintain high-level exchanges and deepen practical cooperation to achieve win-win results, Mahara said.

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi (R) meets with Nepalese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara in Beijing, capital of China on September 7, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi also met with Mahara on Thursday.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency