Prime Minister's China visit a complete success: Foreign Minister Saud

By Nanda Lal Tiwari, Chengdu, Sept 29: Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud has assessed Prime Minster Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda's official visit to China as historical.

In a short interview at Chengdu, capital city of Sichuan province, China, to The Rising Nepal on the eve of the conclusion of the official visit, Foreign Minister Saud, who has accompanied PM Prachanda as a member of the delegation, made the remarks.

He argued that some important achievements have been made to deepen and take forward Nepal-China relations by means of the bilateral meetings with the high level Chinese leadership including President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qian, NPC standing committee Chairman Zhao Leji and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The Foreign Minister was of the view that in course of the meetings and bilateral talks serious discussions were held with regard to challenges between Nepal and China.

He said that the agreements and the memorandum of understanding reached on moving forward the China funded projects, opening the trade points in the border between Nepal and China closed due to the earthquake and COVID or upgrading some of them and also opening some seasonal and traditional local trade points are also important.

Equally important is the understanding reached to inspect the border by a joint team of Nepal and China, he said.

Saying that the agreements related to agriculture sector will support Nepal to export agriproducts to China in a facilitated manner and thus help reduce Nepal's trade deficit with China, Foreign Minister Saud maintained that the agreements have made a situation wherein Nepali agricultural production as well as quality will be improved.

He said that agreement on tax exemption for Nepali exportable products in China has been very significant agreement in its own respect.

Stating that China accorded a high importance to the visiting Nepali delegation led by Prime Minister Prachanda the Foreign Minister said, "Nepal has also presented its situation very clearly to China".

I have realised that China is eager to help Nepal as a trusted friend by financial assistance, through cooperation in agriculture, science and technology and investment sectors, said the minister.

He termed the visit to Mt. Kailash and Mansarowar lake made in course of the official visit as field study for objective understanding on how Nepal could be made an entry point to visit such religiously and culturally important tourist destination that can improve Nepal's economic condition.

Stressing that the Prime Minister's visit was successful from both economic and diplomatic point of view, Foreign Minister Saud said, "The outcome of the 13 agreements reached between the two countries, including the agreement to open all the traditional border crossings, and the issues included in the joint statement will benefit Nepal in the future."

"The agreement to introduce advance methods of breeding of yak, cow, and other domesticated animals in Nepal is an important issue in the context of the development of the agricultural sector and it will help export Nepal's agricultural produce to China and open up agriculture-based industries in Nepal."

He said the intensive discussions held on various issues at the highest level has created a new understanding between the two countries.

On the visit to Kailash Mansarovar during the official visit, Minister Saud said, "It was not only to see the place but also to promote Nepal's religious tourism. On-site study of the area was carried out to create a suitable environment for millions of Hindu pilgrims from around the world, including India, to visit Kailash Mansarovar." 

He Saud said that in addition to Simkot in Humla, Urai in Bajhang and Tinkar in Darchula are also being studied for accessible road to reach from Nepal to Kailash Masarovar.