Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is on a visit to Nepal, said he would study the feasibility of cross-border railways.
He said this while addressing a dinner banquet organized by President Bidadevi Bhandari in his honor on Saturday.
During the address, Se said that Nepal would help to fulfill the dream of becoming a landlocked country.
In that meeting, President Bhandari said the relationship between the two countries was centuries old.
Full details of President Bhandari's address:
His Excellency,
I am very pleased to receive a warm welcome at this royal banquet to the President of China, His Excellency President Xi Jinping, and to the distinguished members of the Chinese delegation.
It is a pleasant coincidence that the President's visit to His Excellency is taking place on the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the People's Republic of China. On this occasion, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to His Excellency the President and all members of the Chinese delegation and all Chinese friends.
Also, we wish the United States China the full success of achieving two great goals of the century.
Under the able leadership of His Excellency, China has put forward agendas. Progressive reform plans, anti-corruption campaigns and effective implementation of good governance are important dimensions of the Chinese dream, including His Excellency's national renaissance. More than 150 nations and dozens of organizations around the world have joined the Belt and Road Initiative. For the New Age, Chinese Chifeng ideology has become an important vision of people-centered development in socialism with Chinese specialties. I feel that the Chinese leader's skillful and visionary leadership and hard work are important to the Chinese people in the development of China.
His Excellency,
I remember fresh visits to China last April. I am grateful for the warm welcome and hospitality showed to me throughout my visit to Sian, the beautiful hometown of His Excellency and the origin of the Silk Road.
I believe that the visit with His Excellency on the occasion of the visit helped to further enhance Nepal-China relations. Among the important documents signed on the occasion of the visit, the Transit and Transport Agreement protocol established Nepal's access to China's three seaports and four maritime ports.
I believe that my participation and address at the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Assistance has helped to foster Nepal's development aspirations. The joint statement issued at the conclusion of the Leaders Round Table of the forum included Nepal-China, Himalayan multilateral connectivity network, and Nepal-China border crossing railways. This will be a great help in expanding the connectivity network with China for a landlocked Nepal.
In this regard, I recall the contribution of Honorable Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's visit to China in 2016 and 2018, which gave a new direction to bilateral relations.
His Excellency,
Nepal and the People's Republic of China are connected by mountains and rivers. We have been social and cultural contacts for centuries. Chinese monks Fa Xian and Huan Tsang and Nepali monks Buddha Bhadra, Princess Bhrikuti and artist Araniko have made great contributions to enriching people's relations and cultural relations between the two countries. Our relationship based on mutual trust, respect and well-being are close, strong and problem-free. Our relationship is as deep as the ocean and as deep as Everest. Based on the Panchasheel, there is a lot of potential for a warm relationship between us.
His Excellency,
Nepal's Lumbini is not only the birthplace of Gautama Buddha but also the origin of Buddhist philosophy. The eternal teachings of the Buddha have guided mankind to peace, tolerance, and co-existence. Therefore, the United States expects significant cooperation from China in our efforts to make Lumbini a center of world peace.
China has always respected Nepal's sovereignty and political independence and has supported the path of development chosen by the Nepalese people. Nepal is fully committed to a China policy. We have been pursuing all sorts of concrete measures to put our commitment to not using Nepali land for any kind of activities that are against China's interests.
We have been emphasizing that the infrastructure needs to be improved for cross-border connectivity. Nepalese people want to see the railway link from Kerung to Kathmandu via Lumbini. In view of the latest technology acquired by China in the railway sector and the resources available with China, we believe that the Nepalese desire will soon be fulfilled.
His Excellency,
Inspired by the earlier discussions with His Excellency, we have accorded high priority to cooperation with the United Nations China to meet the national aspirations of prosperous Nepal, a happy Nepali. We are aiming to upgrade our country from the least developed to the middle-income country by 2030. We need foreign investment as our internal resources are not sufficient to achieve this objective. We call on Chinese investors to invest in the social sector, including the development of productive sectors, infrastructure, and water resources. The government will fully protect the investment.
We highly appreciate the generous support China has provided in the post-earthquake reconstruction. Likewise, we expect the Chinese government's assistance to make Nepal visit the year 2020 a success.
Climate change has made our mountainous environment and economy vulnerable. Therefore, we are planning to organize the Everest Dialogue in Kathmandu in April next year, with a view to centralizing international efforts to strengthen the economy while preserving the mountain environment. Representatives from the Chinese government are expected to be represented at the program.
His Excellency,
Nepal and China have stood together in multilateral and international forums for peace, stability, and development. We continue to collaborate on regional issues of common interest. At the present time, the solidarity and cooperation of developing nations are inevitable in the face of a challenge by law-based world order. We appreciate the positive role China has played in building a peaceful, just and inclusive world order.
His Excellency,
Geography has made Nepal and China a close neighbor. Relationships with history, culture, and people have made us close friends. Trade, investment, and financial interdependence have made us a strong partner to co-operate for the common future. We are committed to taking the overall relationship with China to a new height and further accelerating it for the benefit of both countries and the people.
With these words, I would like to offer a toast for the good health and happiness of His Excellency, for strong friendship between Nepal and China, for the eternal peace and prosperity of the people of Nepal and the People's Republic of China and to all the special guests present.
Nepal-China friendship is immortal.
Thank you very much. "
