PM Oli calls on Chinese President Xi; Agreement for cooperation signed

(Special Correspondent Hari Lamichhane)
BEIJING, June 21: Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli called on Chinese President, Xi Jinping, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday.

During the meeting, the PM extended his heartfelt congratulations to President Xi for the successful conclusion of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2017 as well as of the annual sessions of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in 2018.

He also congratulated the Chinese President for successfully holding the 18th Summit of the Shanghai Co-operation Organization (SCO) last week and for assuming chairmanship of the Organization.

The two leaders discussed various matters pertaining to bilateral relations and on ways and means to further expanding bilateral cooperation in various fields including through cross border railway connectivity.

President Xi congratulated the Government of Nepal for achieving political stability and outlining economic development priorities and assured China’s full support and cooperation in realizing Nepal’s development goals.

Earlier, PM Oli laid a wreath at the Monument to the People’s Heroes at the Tian’anmen Square in Beijing.

At a function organized at the Embassy of Nepal in the morning, the PM met with the Nepali diaspora living in China. Addressing the gathering, he highlighted the priorities of the government, and urged all Nepali nationals living abroad, including those living in China, to support the Government in its efforts towards the socio-economic transformation of the country.

AGREEMENT FOR COOPERATION SIGNED

He witnessed the signing of an Agreement for Co-operation between Nepal Electricity Authority and State Grid Corporation of China for Feasibility Study of Nepal-China Cross-border Power Grid Interconnection Project. As per the agreement, the two sides will carry out the feasibility study of 400 kV Kerung-Rasuwagadhi-Galchhi-Ratmate transmission line.

Also witnessed by the PM was the signing of a total of eight MoUs between Nepali agencies and enterprises and their Chinese partners, in the areas of hydropower generation, manufacturing, river training, and agriculture, at a separate function organized at the Embassy of Nepal.

Following the program at the Embassy, the PM inaugurated the ‘2018 Nepal-China Business Forum’ jointly organized by the Embassy of Nepal and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).

NEPAL ON PATH OF PEACE, POLITICAL STABILITY
Inaugurating the Forum, PM Oli said that Nepal had embarked on a path of peace and political stability following the three tiers of elections under federal set-up last year, and expressed his confidence that Chinese entrepreneurs would take advantage of the conducive atmosphere and investment-friendly policies of the Government of Nepal for investments in Nepal.

The Prime Minister also gave an interview to China Global Television Network. The PM is scheduled to hold delegation level talks with his Chinese counterpart on Thursday. RSS