The 19th Asian Games (Asiad) were officially opened in the Chinese city of Hangzhou by President Xi Jinping at a spectacular ceremony on the evening of Saturday September 23. With the participation of all 45 members of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and more than 12,000 athletes, it is the largest Asiad to date.
A number of leaders of friendly countries paid visits to China on this occasion and attended the ceremony. They included President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda of Nepal and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão of Timor-Leste.
Meeting with the Nepalese Prime Minister, President Xi Jinping said that China and Nepal have set an example of equal treatment and win-win cooperation between big and small countries. The two countries are partners and opportunities for each other on their way to national development and prosperity.
Noting that the two countries have made progress in Belt and Road cooperation, and the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network has taken shape, Xi urged efforts from both sides to promote infrastructure connectivity and expand transit transportation cooperation to help Nepal transform itself from a landlocked country to a land-linked country at an early date.
Prachanda, who is also the leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), said that Xi is a visionary global leader and a good friend of all Nepalese people. Hailing Nepal and China as friends and partners who can understand, rely on, and support each other, he reiterated Nepal’s firm adherence to the one-China policy.
Prachanda further noted that Nepal will actively participate in Belt and Road cooperation and will also promote the construction of the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network.
Following the opening of the Asian Games, Prachanda continued his official visit to China in the capital, Beijing. Meeting his counterpart, Premier Li Qiang on September 25, he said that Nepal-China relations are based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and have stood the test of the changing international situation.
Premier Li noted that China and Nepal have always respected, trusted and supported each other since the establishment of diplomatic ties nearly 70 years ago and said that their bilateral relations have enjoyed sound and steady development, and that cooperation in various fields has constantly scored new achievements, setting a good example of equality and mutual benefit between countries.
China is willing to work with Nepal to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, enhance development strategy synergies, consolidate and expand practical cooperation, push China-Nepal relations to a higher level, and jointly create a better future for the two countries, he added. China will, as always, firmly support Nepal in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and taking a development path that suits its national conditions.
After the talks, Li and Prachanda witnessed the signing of over 10 bilateral cooperation documents in economy and trade, agriculture, science and technology, culture, publishing, digital economy, green and low-carbon industry, inspection and quarantine, and development assistance.
Prior to the visit, at a regular Chinese Foreign Ministry Press Conference on September 21, spokesperson Mao Ning noted that, “Prime Minister Prachanda has visited China many times and made an important contribution to the growth of China-Nepal relations.”
She added: “China and Nepal are traditional friends, neighbours and strategic cooperative partners. Since our two countries established diplomatic relations 68 years ago, no matter how the international or regional situations have evolved, China-Nepal relations have maintained sound and steady progress. Our two countries have given each other understanding and support on issues concerning our respective core interests.”
The following articles were originally published by the Xinhua News Agency.
Xi meets Nepalese prime minister
HANGZHOU, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday met with Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda in Hangzhou, capital city of east China’s Zhejiang Province.
China and Nepal have set an example of equal treatment and win-win cooperation between big and small countries. The two countries are partners and opportunities for each other on their way to national development and prosperity, Xi said.
The two sides should always understand and support each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns, and constantly consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations, Xi said.
Noting that the two countries have made progress in Belt and Road cooperation and the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network has taken shape, Xi urged efforts from both sides to promote infrastructure connectivity and expand transit transportation cooperation to help Nepal transform itself from a landlocked country to a land-linked country at an early date.
China is willing to strengthen multilateral coordination with Nepal, safeguard the common interests of the two countries and other developing countries, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, Xi said.
Prachanda said Xi is a visionary global leader and a good friend of all Nepalese people.
Hailing Nepal and China as friends and partners who can understand, rely on and support each other, Prachanda reiterated Nepal’s firm adherence to the one-China policy.
Both Taiwan and Tibet are inalienable parts of China’s territory, and Nepal will not allow any force to use its territory to undermine China’s sovereignty and security, Prachanda said, adding that this position is firm and unshakable.
Prachanda noted that Nepal highly appreciates the Belt and Road Initiative and will actively participate in Belt and Road cooperation, and that it will also promote the construction of the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network.
The Nepalese prime minister said he believes that the Hangzhou Asian Games will be a great success and will contribute to mutual understanding and friendship among the Asian people.
Senior Chinese leaders including Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Wang Yi and Shen Yiqin attended the meeting.
Chinese premier holds talks with Nepalese PM
BEIJING, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier Li Qiang held talks with Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People on Monday.
China and Nepal have always respected, trusted and supported each other since the establishment of diplomatic ties nearly 70 years ago, said Li noting that the bilateral relations have enjoyed sound and steady development, and cooperation in various fields has constantly scored new achievements, setting a good example of equality and mutual benefit between countries.
China is willing to work with Nepal to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, enhance development strategy synergies, consolidate and expand practical cooperation, push China-Nepal relations to a higher level, and jointly create a better future for the two countries, the premier said.
Li pointed out that China will, as always, firmly support Nepal in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and taking a development path that suits its national conditions.
Li said that China is ready to work with Nepal to continuously improve connectivity at ports, roads, railways, aviation, telecommunications and electricity, accelerate the construction of the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network, and help Nepal, a landlocked country, upgrade connectivity with neighboring countries as soon as possible.
China is willing to import more quality agricultural products from Nepal, encourage Chinese enterprises to participate in the development and construction of Nepal, and strengthen people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in education, medical care, tourism, among others, said Li.
Prachanda congratulated China on successfully hosting the opening ceremony of the Hangzhou Asian Games and spoke highly of China’s great achievements in economic and social development and poverty alleviation.
Prachanda said that Nepal-China relations are based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and have stood the test of changing international situation.
The Nepalese side firmly abides by the one-China principle, supports China in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and does not allow any force to use Nepali territory for anti-China activities, the prime minister said.
Prachanda said that Nepal supports the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China and is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China, jointly safeguard the common interests of developing countries and promote the establishment of a more just and reasonable international order.
After the talks, Li and Prachanda witnessed the signing of over 10 bilateral cooperation documents in economy and trade, agriculture, science and technology, culture, publishing, digital economy, green and low-carbon industry, inspection and quarantine, and development assistance.
Prior to the talks, Li held a welcoming ceremony for Prachanda at the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People.
I am from Vancouver,Canada and i wanted to say that regard to the Asian Games in China i hope the Palestinian Delegation to the Asian Games made out all right. Palestinians have many problems when it comes to travelling.It seems they made it to China for the Asian Games. I am cheering for them because they could be thrown into prison at any time by the Apartheid Israeli Gov’t or be killed by Israeli Forces. Their Country is Palestine From the River to the Sea!