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AFP
Kathmandu
China and Nepal hailed the “beginning of a new era” in relations on Sunday as President Xi Jinping ended his visit with promises of a railway and tunnel connecting the two countries.
Xi -- in the first state visit by a Chinese leader in 23 years -- announced 3.5 billion RMB ($493 million) of aid between 2020-2022 “to uplift the living standard of Nepali people” during talks with President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, an official said.
China has been wooing Nepal, which rival India considers as within its sphere of influence, with pledges of development in the Himalayan nation sandwiched between the regional giants.
Kathmandu has also sought closer ties and much-needed energy and infrastructure investments from Beijing.
In a joint statement the two countries said Xi’s visit “marked the beginning of a new era in Nepal-China relations and served as an important milestone in the history of friendly cooperation”.
During the visit Nepali and Chinese officials signed at least 15 agreements, including a feasibility study for a cross-border railway project that would give Beijing access to the south through Nepal’s open border with India.
“We will develop a multi-dimensional trans-Himalayan connectivity network and help Nepal to realise its dream to transform itself from a landlocked country to land-linked country,” Xi said in his address during a banquet on Saturday evening.
They also undertook to carry out another feasibility study to construct a tunnel from China’s Kerung to Kathmandu and to repair existing highways, as well as to strengthen hydropower, security, trade and education links.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s foreign affairs adviser Rajan Bhattarai said Xi showed “China is ready to help Nepal with (an) open heart on its goal of development and prosperity, (helping with) infrastructure development and enhancing connectivity”.
Nepali Times editor Kunda Dixit said the key test would be if China’s deals help boost the impoverished nation’s economy.
Kathmandu
China and Nepal hailed the “beginning of a new era” in relations on Sunday as President Xi Jinping ended his visit with promises of a railway and tunnel connecting the two countries.
Xi -- in the first state visit by a Chinese leader in 23 years -- announced 3.5 billion RMB ($493 million) of aid between 2020-2022 “to uplift the living standard of Nepali people” during talks with President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, an official said.
China has been wooing Nepal, which rival India considers as within its sphere of influence, with pledges of development in the Himalayan nation sandwiched between the regional giants.
Kathmandu has also sought closer ties and much-needed energy and infrastructure investments from Beijing.
In a joint statement the two countries said Xi’s visit “marked the beginning of a new era in Nepal-China relations and served as an important milestone in the history of friendly cooperation”.
During the visit Nepali and Chinese officials signed at least 15 agreements, including a feasibility study for a cross-border railway project that would give Beijing access to the south through Nepal’s open border with India.
“We will develop a multi-dimensional trans-Himalayan connectivity network and help Nepal to realise its dream to transform itself from a landlocked country to land-linked country,” Xi said in his address during a banquet on Saturday evening.
They also undertook to carry out another feasibility study to construct a tunnel from China’s Kerung to Kathmandu and to repair existing highways, as well as to strengthen hydropower, security, trade and education links.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s foreign affairs adviser Rajan Bhattarai said Xi showed “China is ready to help Nepal with (an) open heart on its goal of development and prosperity, (helping with) infrastructure development and enhancing connectivity”.
Nepali Times editor Kunda Dixit said the key test would be if China’s deals help boost the impoverished nation’s economy.
