Nepal – China didn’t talk about BRI during high level meeting ?

Nepal – China bilateral consultation meeting The 15th meeting of the Bilateral Diplomatic Consultation Mechanism between the Foreign Ministries of Nepal and China held in Beijing on Friday discussed existing bilateral ties and cooperation and deliberated on the ways to further expanding and consolidating cooperation in various areas such as economic cooperation, trade promotion, investment, tourism and connectivity among others.

During the high level meeting Bharat Raj Paudyal, Foreign Secretary of Nepal and Sun Weidong, Vice Minister of the Foreign Affairs of China, led their respective delegations to the meeting, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The meeting was held in an atmosphere of cordiality and friendship,” said a statement from FOreign Ministry adding the Vice Minister of China “admired Nepal’s consistent adherence to one China policy and respect for the five principles of peaceful coexistence.” Foreign Secretary Paudyal appreciated the Chinese policy of non-interference and respect for Nepal’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence, the Ministry said.

“The meeting also reviewed the progress of different infrastructure development projects under China’s grant assistance as well as Chinese-contracted projects and agreed to expedite the implementation of the projects so as to complete them in time,” reads the statement. However, the statement did not mention about Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which could not take off even six years after the two countries put their signature in the agreement.

“With a view to reduce trade deficit, Foreign Secretary Paudyal proposed for the preferential treatment to Nepali primary products such as tea, coffee, herbal products, cooked buffalo meat, and other agricultural products,” according to the statement. The Chinese side agreed to encourage Chinese investors to make investment in mutually beneficial areas, adds the statement.

“The two sides discussed on promoting people to people contacts and cultural cooperation, increasing the number of scholarships to Nepali students and professionals, capacity development of technical experts, among others,“ reads the statement. Foreign Secretary of Nepal appreciated the Government of China for enlisting Nepal as one of the outbound destination countries for group tourism, the Ministry said.

“During the occasion, the two sides reviewed the cooperation between the two countries at the multilateral forums, including in the United Nations, and exchange of mutual support to each other’s candidatures.” They also discussed the importance of implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the usefulness of the GDI to promote SDG agenda, adds the statement.