Nepal pledges to accord priority to China in foreign relations

From K J M Varma Beijing, Aug 17 (PTI) Allaying concerns over the fall ofpro-Beijing Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli’s government, a topNepalese leader today said Nepal accords a priority to Chinain its foreign relations and abides by the ‘One-China’ policy. Newly elected Prime Minister Prachanda’s special envoyDeputy Prime Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara made the remarkshere during his meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang,state-run Xinhua news agency reported. Mahara said Nepal will strengthen coordination andcooperation with China, and implement all consensus alreadyreached between the two countries. His visit comes following anxieties in Beijing over thefate of several projects connecting China and Nepal signed byformer Prime Minister Oli to reduce landlocked Nepal’sdependence on India. Li said China appreciates the importance attached torelations with Beijing by the new Nepalese government. He said China will work with Nepal in the spirit offriendship, sincerity, and mutual benefit, to jointly promotebilateral relations as well as peace, stability and prosperityin the region. China plans to expand bilateral cooperation in such areasas trade, connectivity and infrastructure construction. China will also help Nepal in natural disaster relief andpost-disaster reconstruction, Li added. Mahara was visiting Beijing just two weeks afterPrachanda was elected as Nepal’s new prime minister. He also met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi andSong Tao, head of the International Department of theCommunist Party of China Central Committee. China considers Taiwan and Tibet as part of the countryand requires other nations to accept it as "One-China" policy. China is also worried over supporters of Tibetanspiritual leader Dalai Lama fleeing from Tibet to India viaNepal. PTI KJV ZH AKJZH