KATHMANDU, March 20: Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun has expressed his hope that Nepal, being the closest neighbor to China, would become able to take more benefits from the One Belt One Road (OBOR) Initiative, introduced by China.

Receiving felicitations conveyed by his Chinese counterpart Wang Qishan from Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Yu Hong, on Tuesday, for his re-election on the post of Vice President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, Vice President Pun hoped to get more help and support from China to Nepal’s development endeavors.

On the occasion, he said that Nepali people were eagerly waiting for a moment to welcome the Chinese President to their home.

The Chinese Ambassador reached the Office of Vice President to convey the felicitations extended by the Chinese Vice President, confirmed Vice President’s press coordinator Manoj Gharti.

Expressing happiness over the arrival of a ‘new era’ of development in Nepal, the Chinese Ambassador made it clear that China would remain on forefront in terms of assisting collective endevours meant for Nepal’s development.

Secretary at the Office of Vice President, Lal Shankar Ghimire, and officials from the Chinese Embassy were also present on the occasion.

KATHMANDU, May 30: The main opposition CPN (UML) has termed the Memorandum of Understanding that Nepal recently signed with China regarding the ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative as historic and a milestone for heightening the bilateral ties.

Addressing an interaction program on OBOR organized here today, party Chair and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli expressed his hope that OBOR initiative would not only help China attain prosperity but also provide a strong base for taking country’s prosperity to a new height.

“The OBOR, a development initiative proposed by China for the interests of self and neighbouring countries, is expected to open a new door for economic progress in Nepal.”

Recalling his participation in the OBOR conference hosted by China while he was in the PM post, leader Oli said with the signing of MoU on this concept, Nepal-China relations has reached to a new height.

On a different note, he said greed for power has affected the efforts for attaining sustainable economic development. “Political parties must realise and become accustomed to the fact that their existence is possible even without sitting in power.”

Also speaking on the occasion, Nepali Congress leader Dr Ram Sharan Mahat said the OBOR initiative would benefit Nepal on multiple fronts including expansion of road network and railway construction.

Chinese investment would increase in Nepal through the implementation of this project. He insisted on the need of sustainable development and political stability to attain economic progress.

The program was organised by International Concern Center Nepal. RSS

Kathmandu, May 16: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara returned to home Tuesday night after attending the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation organized by China in Beijing.
Speaking at a press conference at the VVIP Lounge of Tribhuvan International Airport after the arrival, DPM Mahara said the participants at the Belt and Road Forum agreed that the One Belt One Road Initiative was a very good concept.
“It can play a significant role for Nepal’s development on infrastructure building as railroad and opening of additional border points,” he said, adding China was always positive for Nepal’s economic development and discussions were held on China’s continued assistance to Nepal.
During his stay in China, DPM Mahara also held discussions with various Chinese officials in which he informed them about Nepal’s latest political development as local elections and ensuing political stability with the implementation of constitution. He informed at the press meet that he found Nepal and China very good friends.
The Nepali delegation had left here for Beijing on Friday to take part in the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held on May 14-15.
The eight-member Nepali delegation including Minister for Information and Communications Surendra Kumar Karki, Physical Infrastructure and Transport Ramesh Lekhak led by DPM Mahara took part in the Forum that was attended by 1,200 representatives including Heads of States from 29 countries, 100 ministerial level personalities and representatives from different agencies.

On Sunday, the head of Nepali delegation and DPM Mahara met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yang.

Earlier, Nepal and China and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singh Durbar, Kathmandu, on May 12. The Nepali delegation attended the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation during thematic session on Connectivity of development Policies and Strategies.

During the session, Minister Karki said that Nepal’s geographical location, as a part of belt and road initiative, provides unique opportunity to synergize the benefit of connectivity with Central Asia, Europe, North and East Asia to South Asia.
He also proposed for mutual cooperation mechanism under the belt and road initiative and find some synergy in outcomes from the policies and projects related to connectivity, adding that Nepal was ready to work together with China for realizing the goal of creating harmonious and prosperous society for more equitable and just global order. RSS