Prachanda meets XI Jinping

Historic meeting between Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal “Prachanda and President of China Xi Jinping concluded at Hangzhou, capital city of East China’s Zhejiang Province on Saturday, according to sources at the Prime Minister’s office. “Prime Minister Prachanda who reached Hangzhou on Saturday in connection with his week long visit to China held open and clear dialogue with President Xi on matters relating to bilateral interests,” said PM’s press advisor Govinda Acharya.

“The two leaders agreed on forging collaboration among all the regional forces on issues relating to regional stability, peace and progress.” The two leaders agreed to intensify mutual cooperation by understanding each other’s concerns and sensitivities, Acharya said. “Xi said he was ready to collaborate and cooperate with open heart in matters relating to Nepal’s economic and social development.”

Xi and Prachanda held one – to – one and delegation level talks, which lasted for an hour. “Nepal and China have taken forward very close relations without any discrimination regarding small and big country, recognizing mutual respect, support and coexistence by pursuing five principles of peaceful co-existence, Xi said during the meeting. “He also expressed confidence that the relations between the two countries will be taken to a new height in the days ahead,” according to press advisor Acharya.

Elaborating the existing historical relations between Nepal and China for a long time, Prime Minister Prachanda said that the new concepts floated by president Xi will prove significant for peace and development of this region. Reiterating Nepal’s commitment to one China policy Prachanda said Nepal cannot be party of any kind of military strategic plan because of her commitment towards non-aligned policy.

Admiring China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Prachanda said “Nepal has already endorsed the BRI as it can play a catalytic role in Nepal’s infrastructure development.

PM Prachanda has directly flown to China from New York, where he had addressed the 78th General Assembly of the United Nations. The Prime Minister is accompanied by Foreign Minister N.P. Saud and other high government officials during his official visit to China.