Kathmandu July 24: The Speaker of the House, Devraj Ghimire, met with a politburo member of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and Secretary of Chongqing City Committee, Yuan Jiajuan.

Various topics including bilateral relations, economic, trade, political, social, and religious cooperation were discussed at the meeting held on Monday in Kathmandu. In the meeting of the two sides, the Nepali Congress Chief Whip, Ramesh Lekhak, and the Secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center), Devendra Poudel, along with other members of parliament, also participated.

Speaker Ghimire expressed gratitude for China’s increased interest in Nepal, including high-level visits since President Xi Jinping’s visit in 2019, and expressed hope that bilateral political visits would help to Nepal’s progress and prosperity.

The Speaker also acknowledged the significant contribution of Chinese tourists to Nepal’s tourism industry.

Li Qiang, the Chairman of the National People’s Congress of China, visited Nepal a year ago, and Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, the Chairman of the National Assembly of Nepal, visited China a month ago, which further expanded parliamentary cooperation, as mentioned by Speaker Ghimire.

He expressed happiness about China being an economic powerhouse and pledged to start a program to make Nepal self-reliant in food with China’s support.

Chinese leader Yuan announced 8 million yuan (approximately 14 crore NRs) in assistance during his visit to Nepal.

The meeting on Monday also marked the beginning of the ‘Language Lab at LRI School, Kalanki, ‘ with the participation of Speaker Ghimire and Chinese leader Yuan. Speaker Ghimire described China as a reliable development partner for Nepal.