China commits to Nepal partnership

Six days after the conclusion of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Yang Houlan made clear that China will continue to promote its comprehensive partnership with Nepal, previously agreed upon during former Nepali prime minister Madhav Kumar's China visit in 2009.

During the Beijing visit, the two sides had agreed to establish and develop a Nepal-China Comprehensive Partnership of Cooperation based on mutual interests and peaceful coexistence.

Yang said that China's policy to pursue economic cooperation and development in Nepal for mutual interest will continue. "We, Nepal and China, are in a strong position and have laid the foundation for achieving these goals," Yang said.

"Nepal is important for China," Yang said yesterday, while unveiling the outcomes of the 18th National Congress of the CPC and highlighting the major points delivered by outgoing President Hu Jintao. China desires Nepal's political stability, its quick development and wants to be partner to its developmental endeavours, said the ambassador. He said that many Chinese companies were interested in investing in Nepal's hydro resources, tourism development and agricultural sector.

"We should observe the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and support equality among all countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor," said outgoing Hu at the recent party congress.

"We will continue to promote friendship and partnership with our neighbours, consolidate friendly relations and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with them, and ensure that China's development will bring more benefits to our neighbours."