Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Saturday paid an official visit to Nepal, during which China and Nepal issued an eight-point joint statement on boosting bilateral ties and strengthening cooperation in various areas.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) holds talks with Nepalese Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai in Kathmandu, Nepal, Jan. 14, 2012. [Photo by Xie Huanchi/Xinhua]

 

During the visit, Premier Wen met with Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav and held talks with the country's Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai.

The leaders of the two countries had an in-depth exchange of views and reached broad understanding on China-Nepal relations as well as on international and regional issues of mutual interest.

The two sides agreed that the China-Nepal diplomatic relations, established in 1955 and characterized by equality, harmonious co-existence, ever-lasting friendship and comprehensive cooperation, are of great importance to both nations.

"Further enhancement of the ties is in accord with the fundamental interests of the two countries and is conducive to peace, stability and development in the region and the world at large," the joint statement said.

Firstly, the two sides decided to further promote China-Nepal friendly relations of Comprehensive Partnership of Cooperation Featuring Ever-Lasting Friendship on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

Secondly, the two sides agreed to share development experiences and technological advancement, and enhance all round cooperation so as to achieve mutual development and prosperity.

The two sides also agreed to maintain the momentum of high-level mutual visits, and have meetings between the leaders on the multilateral occasions.

The two nations will also make full use of existing mechanisms including the diplomatic consultations and the China-Nepal Joint Economic and Trade Committee Meeting. The two sides agreed to form a Consultation Mechanism at the level of Ministers for Foreign Affairs.

Thirdly, the Nepalese side expressed its firm support for China on its efforts to uphold state sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity.

"Nepal does not allow any forces to use its territory for any anti-China or separatist activities," the joint statement said.

Fourthly, the two sides agreed to further intensify cooperation in socioeconomic development, promotion of trade and tourism, hydropower, and transportation infrastructure development, as well as other fields on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

At the request of the Nepalese side, the Chinese side assured of increase in the volume of regular grant aid for the implementation of various infrastructure development and other projects.

Both sides agreed to improve connectivity, particularly the land transportation infrastructure between the two countries, to facilitate bilateral exchanges, cooperation and business ties.

The two sides maintained that the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and Nepal should make full potentials and take their respective advantages to strengthen people-to-people exchanges in the border areas, and to promote trade, tourism, and the flow of goods and services to expand mutually beneficial cooperation.

The Chinese side said that it encourages and supports competent and well-established Chinese companies and enterprises to promote investment and joint ventures in Nepal, and will provide financing assistance, including concessional loans, to mutually agreed projects.

In the rest part of the joint statement from the fifth to the eighth points, China and Nepal agreed to improve the meeting mechanism between law-enforcing authorities of the two countries, and to deepen cooperation on border management and law-enforcement capacity-building, so as to uphold peace and stability of China-Nepal border areas.

The two countries also announced the year 2012 as "the China-Nepal Year of Friendly Exchanges," saying the two sides will continue to promote exchanges and cooperation in the areas of culture and education and between youths, media, think tanks, scholars and friendly groups of the two countries.

The two sides believed that China and Nepal have identical or similar positions on major international issues, such as global financial crisis, energy and food security, among others.

The two sides agreed to maintain close coordination and cooperation in this regard, so as to uphold the common interests of China, Nepal and other developing countries.

After his brief stay in Nepal, the Chinese premier is heading to the Middle East to pay official visits to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar.

He will also attend the Fifth World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi.