Full text: Joint Statement between the People's Republic of China and Nepal (1)

Following is the full text of the joint statement between China and Nepal released on Wednesday:

Joint Statement between the People's Republic of China and Nepal

1. At the invitation of Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Rt. Hon. K.P. Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal paid an official visit to China from March 20 to 27, 2016. During the visit, Prime Minister Oli called on H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, held official level bilateral talks with H.E. Li Keqiang, Premier of State Council of the People's Republic of China, and met with H.E. Yu Zhengsheng, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. After his visit in Beijing, he will attend the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2016 and visit Xi'an of Shaanxi Province and Chengdu of Sichuan Province. He was accompanied by his spouse Mrs. Radhika Shakya, Hon. Mr. Kamal Thapa, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Mr. Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Minister for Finance, Hon. Mr. Deepak Bohara, Minister for Commerce, Hon. Mr. Giriraj Mani Pokharel, Minister for Education, Mr. Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Chief Advisor to the Rt. Hon'ble Prime Minister, Members of Parliament, senior Government Officials, representatives from the private sector and media persons.

2. The two countries' leaders expressed satisfaction over remarkable achievements in cooperation of various fields since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1955, and believed that the bilateral relationship maintained the momentum of healthy development on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which sets a model of harmonious coexistence between countries of different size and social systems. The Chinese side welcomed the promulgation of the constitution in Nepal and regarded it as a historic progress in the political transition of Nepal. The Chinese side sincerely hoped that Nepal could take this opportunity to realize its political stability and economic development.

The two sides noted that their countries are undergoing various forms of reforms, transformation and development. The China-Nepal relationship has reached a new height, and the two countries are faced with more opportunities of development and prosperity. In this context, both sides will inherit and carry forward traditional friendship and deepen cooperation featuring equality and mutual-benefit to bring more benefits to both countries and their peoples.

3. The two sides reiterated their firm commitment to respect each other's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, respect and accommodate each other's concerns and core interests. The Nepalese side reiterated its commitment to one China policy. It firmly supports the efforts made by the Chinese side to uphold state sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity, and does not allow any forces to use Nepalese territory for any anti-China or separatist activities. The Chinese side firmly supports and respects Nepal's own choice of social system and development path, and the efforts made by Nepalese side in upholding its sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, national unity and stability.

4. Both sides believed that the high level contacts are of special importance to the development of bilateral relations. The two sides agreed to maintain the momentum of high-level mutual visits, and have meetings between the leaders on the bilateral and multilateral occasions to share views on important issues of common interests. The two sides agreed to make full use of existing mechanisms, including the Diplomatic Consultations and the Joint Economic and Trade Committee meeting, to expand exchanges and cooperation between government departments, legislatures and political parties.

5. As regards Nepal-China bilateral cooperation, both sides agreed to synergize each other's development planning, formulate appropriate bilateral cooperation programs and to carry out major projects under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. Both sides agreed to strengthen connectivity, further step up the land and air links and improve the land transport infrastructure. The Chinese side agreed to accelerate the feasibility study on the Araniko Highway Repair and Opening Maintenance Project and the Repair and Opening Maintenance Project of Syaphrubesi- Rasuwagadhi Highway, build the bridge over Karnali River at Hilsa of Pulan/Yari port. The two sides also agreed to accelerate the upgradation of Kathmandu Ring Road 1 phase by solving the pending issues, and start the project feasibility study of 2nd phase at appropriate time, and the Nepalese side will provide necessary cooperation to implement this project. The relevant authorities of both sides will exchange ideas and proposal on constructing cross border railways and railways network in Nepal, and support enterprises to start related preparatory work as soon as possible. Both sides exchanged views on facilitating Chinese investment in key areas including infrastructures by encouraging the Chinese investment in Nepal, as per the laws and regulation of Nepal. Both sides agreed to explore establishing cross border economic cooperation zones via existing frontier ports and to speed up opening up other frontier ports and trade points as mutually agreed upon. The two sides expressed satisfaction on the conclusion of Agreement on Transit Transport and directed the competent authorities to immediately start negotiation to develop a protocol which will be an integral part of the Agreement. Both sides agreed to negotiate on the Agreement on Boundary Management System.

6. The Chinese government will continue to provide assistance to Nepal's socio-economic development within its ability. The Chinese side will implement the 3 billion RMB grant assistance from 2016 to 2018 to support the post disaster reconstruction of Nepal, to carry out 25 key projects in areas covering infrastructure construction, recovery of people's livelihood in quake-stricken areas of Northern Nepal, repair of cultural and historic sites, capacity building in disaster prevention and control as well as medical and public health cooperation.

The Chinese side agreed to provide more than 32,000 sets of Household solar-power generation system to Nepal, to build small-size education and public health facilities in several selected locations over Nepal, and to enhance cooperation on disaster preparedness and mitigation. The Chinese side agreed to carry out Rain Water Harvesting Project and other livelihood projects in Nepal to improve living standard of the local people. The Chinese side will further enhance cooperation to the Nepalese side for the infrastructure development as well as social and economic development of the people residing in the bordering districts of Nepal and China.

7. In view of the trade deficit of Nepal, the Chinese side will seriously consider to provide the enhanced market access to tradable products of Nepal as contained in the list recently provided by Nepal. The two sides agreed to start the joint feasibility study of China-Nepal Free Trade Agreement, and conclude the study at an early date. The Chinese side encourages local government, Chinese enterprises and social groups to tap the potential with the Nepalese side on production capacity cooperation and economic and trade cooperation zones building and strengthen cooperation in areas that Nepal has resources and advantages, such as construction material, water conservation and hydro-power, and organic agriculture. (mor