Beijing, September 20th—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with a delegation of senior officials of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) (CPN (UML)) led by Shankar Pokhrel, General Secretary of the CPN (UML).

Liu said, China and Nepal are close neighbors linked by mountains and rivers and sharing a common destiny. The Chinese side has always viewed and developed China-Nepal relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with the Nepali side, enhance strategic communication, firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests, deepen cooperation in the Belt and Road Initiative and other fields, and push for more achievements in building a China-Nepal community with a shared future. The Chinese side welcomes the delegation to attend the Second Global South Think Tanks Dialogue and participate in the Global South Think Tanks Alliance, and stands ready to work with Nepal and other countries of the Global South to strengthen solidarity and coordination and promote the building of a more just and equitable new international political and economic order.

Liu said, the CPC and the CPN (UML) have maintained long-term friendly exchanges and played an important role in the development of China-Nepal relations. Under the new circumstances, the CPC is willing to strengthen exchanges at all levels with the CPN (UML), deepen political mutual trust, strengthen exchanges and mutual learning of experience in state governance and administration, and enhance practical cooperation in various fields to better benefit the two countries and the two peoples. The CPC supports the Nepali side in choosing a development path suited to its national conditions.

Pokhrel said, Nepal and China have enjoyed a long-standing relationship. The towering Himalayas stand as a testament to the friendship between the two countries. President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Nepal in 2019 marks a milestone in the development of Nepal-China relations. The CPN (UML) and the CPC have maintained close exchanges and profound friendship. The CPN (UML) appreciates China’s invaluable support during Nepal’s times of difficulty and admires the great achievements of building socialism with Chinese characteristics. The CPN (UML) is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with China, deepen exchanges and mutual learning of experience in party building and state governance, step up people-to-people, educational and sub-national cooperation, and push for new achievements in the socialist construction of respective countries. The Nepali side firmly upholds the one-China principle and will never allow anyone to engage in anti-China activities on its territory, supports and stands ready to actively participate in the important initiative of establishing the Global South Think Tanks Alliance proposed by President Xi Jinping at the "BRICS Plus" Dialogue, and is willing to work closely with the Chinese side to play a positive role in enhancing the friendship between Nepal and China.

Bimala Ghimire, Leader of the CPN (UML) and Vice Chair of the National Assembly of Nepal and others attended the meeting.