Nepal Supports BRI: NCP Leader Khanal

Kathmandu, Aug 24: Nepal Communist Party (NCP) senior leader Jhalanath Khanal has said Nepal would support the Belt and Road Initiatives forwarded by China.

While addressing the ‘Guangdong 21st Century Maritime Silk Road International Expo’ organised in China, the former Prime Minister wondered whether attempts launched against the BRI would be meaningful.

Presently, leader Khanal is on the China visit at the invitation of the government of China. Nepal has become the official partner of the BRI following an understanding between the two countries in 2017.

On the occasion, leader Khanal recalled other several bilateral understandings before the BRI agreement. Such understandings were helpful in creating the concept paper of BRI, he said.

Stating that Nepal and China celebrate the 1,600 year-old relationship, he spoke of the need of taking it ahead on the basis of cultural and trade aspects as well. He proposed to develop Nepal-China economic corridor to make sure the effective implementation of the BRI.

The establishment of ‘Trans Himalaya Economy Corridor’ and the Nepal-India railway network would help revive the Lhasa-Kathmandu-India section under the Silk Road and Nepal could reap benefits from it.

During the address, the former Prime Minister recalled the Nepal-China historic relations.

“Kathmandu’s cultural transcendence was imported by China which is reflected even today in the White Pagoda style of Beijing and it was Nepal’s noted artist Araniko who had enriched Beijing by this art.”

“Both neighbours enjoy the historic cultural and economic relations and at different times of history, people from countries had martial relations too,” he said, pointing out the possibility of collaboration between the countries in the areas of economy, environment protection, technology handover and cultural life.

“Economic prosperity is the wish of present Nepal and such wish could be pursued on the basis of bilateral socio-economic relations.”

Speaking at another programme in China, he sought combined efforts to address the issues relating to ecology conservation, growing impact of climate change on mountainous regions and other environmental issues.

He hinted the possibility of exchange of bilateral assistance in agriculture and tea, tourism and other vivid walks of life.

Expecting to get help from the Chinese government to make the Nepal Visit Year 2020 announced by the Nepal government successful, leader Khanal suggested that bilateral cooperation could be cultivated in regard with facilities to be provided to Chinese tourists in Nepal.

Khanal is scheduled to return home today, according to his personal secretary Krishna Bhattarai.