Kathmandu, 28 June : Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, who is on a visit to China, held a bilateral meeting with the Vice Premier of China, Li Feng, in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. Various aspects of bilateral relations were discussed during the meeting.

In addition to discussing trade, investment, tourism, and connectivity, they also discussed increasing cooperation from China in Nepal. Positive discussions were held on opening more trade routes and facilitating easy movement across the Nepal-China border checkpoints. Both parties agreed to expedite the completion of projects in Nepal with Chinese assistance. They emphasized the need for joint efforts to tackle natural disasters and emergencies.

During this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha expressed gratitude for China’s continuous support to Nepal’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national independence. He mentioned the close connection between political stability and Nepal’s economic prosperity, expressing confidence in China’s support and investment in Nepal’s economic development in the coming days.

Chinese Premier Fang highlighted the importance of China-Nepal relations and expressed his commitment to further strengthen bilateral ties. He mentioned his visit to Kathmandu in 2019 during the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping and recalled the warm relations between the two countries.

From Nepal’s side, Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lok Bahadur Thapa, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Rudra Devi Sharma, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies Mahesh Baral, and Nepali commercial councillor to Chengdu Dinesh Kumar Ghimire were present during the meeting.

From the Chinese side, Vice Premier Fang, Party Secretary of Sichuan Province Wang Sayo, and other officials participated in the discussion.

Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha is leading a seven-member Nepali delegation, which reached in Chengdu on Wednesday afternoon. He was welcomed at the Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport by Siya Oufang, Vice Secretary-General of the Sichuan Provincial Government, and Dinesh Kumar Ghimire, councillor to China.

On Thursday, he will deliver a keynote speech at the opening session of the Western China International Expo. He will also visit the Chengdu Plan Exhibition Hall and observe the exhibition and tour the city of Chengdu.