Kathmandu, June 18 – At the invitation of Premier of the People’s Republic of China Li Keqiang, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli is leaving for an official visit to China tomorrow.
The Prime Minister will be accompanied by his spouse, Radhika Shakya, Minister for Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’, Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Barsha Man Pun ‘Ananta’, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghubir Mahaseth, Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister Bishnu Rimal, Members of Parliament, high-ranking Government officials, representatives of private sector and media persons.
During the visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to hold delegation level bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart and will also meet with senior Chinese leaders, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He will address Nepal-China Business Forum and think tanks in Beijing.
During the visit, the two countries will also sign some agreements and memorandum of understandings. Bilateral discussions will be held and MoUs signed on matters relating to infrastructure development, investment, energy, tourism among other sectors under the one belt one road initiative, said Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi. “The major objective of the visit is to further deepen bilateral relations and cooperation”, he said.
Prime Minister Oli is also scheduled to visit Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet Autonomous Region of China, where he will meet with the provincial leaders. The Prime Minister and the delegation will return home on June 24.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli briefed the parliament that he would maintain relations with neighbouring country, China, to address Nepal’s needs and priorities keeping in mind the nation’s greater good and national integrity.
Apprising of his visit to China at the official invitation of the Chinese Premier beginning tomorrow, Prime Minister Oli further noted that he is embarking on his China visit to widen country’s national interests and concerns.
“We have understood the sensitivities of neighbours. We are firmly committed to one-China policy. We would not allow any activities that would use Nepali territory against China”, he further said.
“China is a longstanding friend of Nepal which has also been openly supporting our sovereignty”, PM Oli shared, adding that China has been extending its cooperation in the development of large infrastructure in Nepal.
Expressing confidence that the visit would further consolidate the bilateral relations between the two countries, he said the far-reaching agreements made with China during his previous visit had indicated something good now.
Next meeting of the House of Representatives is to take place at 11.00 am on coming Friday.
