Kathmandu: Nepal has become the theme country in the China-South Asia Expo, which began in Kunming, China’s Yunnan Province. Under the theme “United in Cooperation for Joint Development,” the seventh edition of the Expo and the 27th China Kunming Import and Export Fair have also designated Myanmar as a theme country along with Nepal.

During the inauguration ceremony, Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav emphasized the need to further enhance bilateral economic cooperation. He urged Chinese entrepreneurs to invest in Nepal’s sectors such as trade, tourism, hydropower, connectivity, and renewable energy.

Prior to the Expo, Vice President Yadav inaugurated the Nepali Pavilion showcasing Nepali products. During this occasion, he interacted with Chinese businesspersons and extended an invitation for enhanced economic partnership between Nepal and China’s private sectors.

According to the Nepali Embassy in Beijing, Vice President Yadav engaged in bilateral discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, focusing on mutual economic interests. Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and director of the Central Committee’s Foreign Affairs Office, met Yadav, Vice President of Nepal,  China, for the South Asia Expo. According to Yadav, Nepal and China are close partners, with strong ties in a variety of fields, rich meanings of strategic cooperation, and ongoing improvement in mutual confidence. Nepal will always remember the Chinese government’s and people’s support, assistance, and profound 

friendship, and it is optimistic about the future of Nepal-China relations. Nepal has traditionally prioritised its relations with China in its foreign policy, and it will continue to do so.

Yadav states that Nepal would continue to adhere to political obligations, as well as never allow any force to use Nepal’s territory to participate in anti-China operations. We look forward to jointly implementing the historic achievements of the leaders of Nepal and China in 2019, transforming the cross-Himalayan three-dimensional interconnection network into a century bridge of friendship between the two peoples, expanding the diversity of Nepal-China economic and trade cooperation, and accelerating the post-epidemic recovery. It is hoped that China will continue to ease agricultural product exports to China.

Wang Yi praised Yadav’s reaffirmation of the one-China policy and solemn pledge that Nepal’s territory would not be used by anti-China elements. He stated that Nepal’s government and opposition have always maintained a friendship with China and respect for China’s vital interests. He stated that China and Nepal are good neighbours and that the two countries. China values its traditional friendship with Nepal and will continue to firmly assist Nepal in defending its sovereignty, security, and development interests, as well as taking a development route consistent with its own national circumstances. We are eager to collaborate with Nepal in order to support the establishment of a generation-friendly strategic cooperation for development and prosperity.

Nepal Emerges as the Theme Country in China-South Asia Expo

Similarly, Minister for Education, Science, and Technology, Ashok Kumar Rai, addressed the Fourth China-South Asia Science, Technology, and Innovation Expo. He highlighted Nepal’s initiatives in technology transfer and collaborative innovation, underscoring the importance and necessity of technology transfer and collaboration for development in countries like Nepal.

Additionally, Nepal’s Ambassador to Beijing, Bharat Raj Paudyal, participated in the Fourth China-South Asia Business Forum, along with Vice-Governor of Yunnan Province, Wang Haosong, and Secretary for Commerce, Madhu Marasini.

In the inauguration ceremony held on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi mentioned that this year’s Expo coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Expo and the BRI Cooperation Summit. He stated, “In the past 10 years, we have kept the regional security and development environment in constant stability through joint efforts. With the establishment of the BRI, we have steadily progressed in connectivity, infrastructure, trade, and investment, which has brought satisfaction to our cooperation.”

Wang Yi extended a warm welcome to the Southern Asian nations to share the benefits of China’s development, promote unity and cooperation, support new drivers of development, contribute to the building of a community with a shared future, and make a lasting contribution to regional stability and prosperity. He suggested strong bilateral cooperation in strategic trust, increased connectivity, enhanced economic and trade collaboration, and deeper people-to-people cultural exchanges.

Wang emphasized building deep friendship, openness, and inclusiveness and highlighted the creation of a multi-tier non-governmental platform.