Chinese President Xi assures support to Nepal in combat against COVID-19

KATHMANDU, April 28: President of People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping has assured support and cooperation to Nepal in the fight against the global pandemic.

In a telephone conversation with President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Monday evening, the two Presidents shared views on the ongoing global fight against the pandemic of COVID-19 and its impacts felt across the world and exchanged views on the measures taken by their respective governments in the combat against coronavirus, stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal in a press release.

President Bhandari appreciated the strong initiatives pursued by the Government of China in containing and controlling the COVID-19 in China and in extending support to the countries around the world in their fight against the pandemic. In return, the President of China appreciated swift and resolute actions taken by the Government of Nepal in containing spread of the virus and assured China’s cooperation in this regard, the release further reads.

Bhandari also expressed gratitude toward China for the assistance of medical logistics provided to Nepal.

According to the release, Xi also expressed his happiness over the return of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli to normal work schedule after his kidney transplant surgery and conveyed his best wishes to the prime minister for his good health and happiness.

President Xi appreciated the telephone call by President Bhandari and thanked for the solidarity and support extended to the government and people of China during the coronavirus epidemic and also on the occasion of the Observance of National Day of Mourning in memory of those who lost their lives while fighting the novel coronavirus.

The two Presidents also expressed satisfaction on the excellent state of bilateral relations and agreed to further strengthen these relations in the coming days through the implementation of understandings and agreements reached during the high-level visits, including the projects related to expanding connectivity between the two countries within the framework of Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network. Both the Presidents agreed to the expeditious execution of these projects immediately after the situation becomes normal.