No wonder India is worried....

Chinese foreign minister to arrive on March 31


KOL Report

KATHMANDU, March 18 - Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing will arrive Nepal on March 31 for a 24-hour visit on his way to Bangladesh, news reports on Thursday said.
Li will hold talks with King Gyanendra and two members of the Council of Ministers, the AFP said quoting an official at the Foreign Ministry.

During the visit, the possible sale of arms by Beijing will be discussed, the official said.

Li?s visit would also pave the way for King?s visit to China to participate in the Boao regional economic forum on Hainan Island from April 22-24. (dds)







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China is worried about anti-govt. rebellion in Nepal: Envoy

Chinese ambassador to Nepal, Sun Heping, has said being a close neighbour China is worried about anti-government rebellion in Nepal.

The Chinese authorities don?t use the term ?Maoist insurgency,? and refer to the rebels as anti-government forces.

In an interview with Himal khabarpatrika (Mar. 13-28), the Chinese envoy said that being a close neighbour, China is worried about the anti-government rebellion in Nepal. We strongly condemn the violent, destructive activities targeted against civilians and development infrastructures, said Sun.



Chinese envoy to Nepal Sun Heping (File Photo)
The Chinese ambassador said peace and stability in Nepal was not just a matter of concern for Nepal and the Nepali people, it was (equally) important for the peace and stability in the entire region. ?We hope that the peace process will begin in Nepal at the earliest resulting in the restoration of an everlasting peace here,? he added.

In response to a question how, China saw post Feb.. 1 developments in Nepal, ambassador Sun reiterated his government?s position saying that it was essentially an internal affair of Nepal. ?As a good neighbour, we hope that Nepal will be successful in achieving social stability, economic development and national consensus in the country.. Along with this, we also respect the right of the Nepali people to choose a social system and development path that best suits their national reality,? he added.

Describing about the Sino-Nepal relations, the Chinese envoy said China and Nepal are two friendly neighbours from ancient times. Our current bilateral relationship is very good. There is no outstanding problem between the two countries; the friendship is intact. Both the countries should take pride in the fact that they have been able to peacefully and confidently carry forward the bilateral relation based on equity.

This year, the golden jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Nepal, too, is being observed. Utilizing this very opportunity, we will try to move ahead with the all-round development of our bilateral ties with the help of our Nepali friends, the envoy added.

Describing about the on-going Chinese assistance to Nepal, ambassador Sun said currently (China) was helping Nepal to build a Civil Servants? Hospital, a Polytechnic College at Banepa and Syaphrubesi-Rasuwa road. During Crown Prince Paras?s China visit last year, agreements were signed between the two countries for Chinese assistance for building an Outer Ring Road in Kathmandu, installation of fiber-optic cable line between Kathmandu and Khasa and the establishment of an Ayurveda Research and Training Institute. The implementation of these projects will begin this year, the envoy said.

When asked how sensitive was Nepal for China geo-politically, the Chinese envoy said, ?You can change your neighbours but you cannot change your neighbouring countries. The geographic location of Nepal, which shares borders with Tibet autonomous region (of China) is very much crucial for stability and prosperity in Tibet.?We value high the ever-friendly policy of His Majesty the King of Nepal and His Majesty?s Government and their policy to not allow any anti-China activities in Nepal, he added. nepalnews.com by/amt Mar 18 05