- The Nepalese Prime Minister is in Beijing until Thursday, and is scheduled to meet Premier Li Qiang.
- Xi says China is ready to “deepen practical cooperation with Nepal.”
- Ole chose Beijing as his first stop amid the absence of an invitation from India.
BEIJING: President Xi Jinping on Tuesday told Nepalese Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli that China will provide more support for infrastructure development in the country, Chinese state media reported.
The Himalayan republic’s leader was in Beijing on Tuesday to meet Chinese leaders, including Xi and Premier Li Qiang, seeking to expand infrastructure cooperation after breaking the long-standing tradition of new leaders making their first official visit to neighboring India.
Oli sought to walk a fine line between neighboring China and India, the world’s two most populous countries, but favored Beijing in an attempt to reduce Kathmandu’s historical dependence on New Delhi.
The official expressed China’s readiness “to deepen practical cooperation with Nepal, jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative with high quality, and enhance connectivity in areas such as ports, transportation, energy networks and communications.” Xinhua The news agency quoted Xi as saying.
“These efforts aim to help Nepal transform from a landlocked country to a landlocked country,” he added.
Oli, who returned to power in July after two previous terms in the senior position, arrived in Beijing on Monday evening to begin the trip, which will continue until Thursday, Chinese state radio reported. CCTV I mentioned.
China’s Foreign Ministry said last week that Xi and Oli “will have in-depth exchanges of views on deepening our traditional friendship.”
This includes expanding cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative – Xi’s flagship international infrastructure initiative – and “exchanges and cooperation in various fields,” said ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning.
Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) Pradeep Gyawali said that Agence France-Presse The visit will focus on previous investment deals, including the recently completed construction of an international airport in the tourist hub of Pokhara.
Nepali media reported that Oli likely chose Beijing as his first destination due to the lack of an official invitation from New Delhi.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said he would “exchange views on matters of common concern” with his Chinese counterparts during the trip.
He will also deliver a keynote address at China’s prestigious Peking University and speak at a bilateral business forum, the ministry said.
India accounted for nearly 65% of Nepal’s total trade in fiscal year 2023-24, according to customs data.
China’s trade share is about 15%, although Chinese companies lead in some industries – including a 70% share of Nepal’s booming electric vehicle market.
India has the highest foreign investment in Nepal, pumping in more than $750 million last year, while China has invested more than $250 million, according to the Central Bank of Nepal.