By Upendra Gautam (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-03-18 07:26

A top delegation of nine members from Chinese Foreign Ministry led by Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei arrived in Kathmandu on March 2 for a three-day visit.

The following day, He met with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala. During the meeting, He expressed China's continued political and economic support for Nepal's peace, stability and development.

In the long course of intimate and friendly relations between Nepal and China, He's visit is considered very important as it took place at a time when the Nepalese people stand at an extraordinary juncture in their nation's history.

It is truly a critical period in Nepal and its people who are fighting hard to preserve their country's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

As the people are committed and determined in their national struggle and hopeful of the strong support of all friendly countries, they specially appreciated He's presence.

Nepal, the holy land where Sakayamuni Gautama Buddha was born, has steadfastly supported the one-China policy with Tibet and Taiwan as inalienable parts of China, and will continue to consistently support China in its peaceful rise as a great power in the 21st Century.

In these fast evolving and difficult times in Nepal, a close neighbor of China, it is quite natural for the people to expect the full support and backing of China as they move forward.

During interactions with He, the Nepalese people from all walks of life warmly congratulated the Chinese government and people on overcoming the serious difficulties posed by the unprecedented snowstorms in January and last month in Central and South China, and sincerely expressed success for the Olympic Games which will mark a new chapter in the glorious history of friendly international contacts with China.

As a follow up on He's visit, Nepal looks forward very much to developing more vigorous and fresh areas of bilateral cooperation with China in a mutually beneficial manner to promote greater peace and stability in the Trans-Himalayan region. There is truly no other alternative to the pursuit of a harmonious international order.

The author is secretary-general of the China Study Center in Nepal

(China Daily 03/18/2008 page10)