He gave something to every one: DPM Shrestha
This news was first published in the The Reporter Weekly:
Minutes after Chinese Premier took off for Qatar winding up his five hour official visit, Deputy Prime Minister Narayankaji Shrestha declared it was a ‘historically successful’ visit.
“China gave so much touching almost every sector of Nepal and especially its socio-economic and development but asked nothing in return,” Shrestha told media people on Jan 11 at the end of Wen’s visit.
China pledged 750 million RMB (Rs 9.75 billion) grant assistance for the next three years. It also increased the regular support by 33 percent over last year’s 150 million RMB. Along with this, Premier Wen Jiabo also announced 20 million USD for the budgetary support to Nepal as the 'one time grant.’
And altogether eight bilateral Agreements, Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and Letter of Exchange were signed during four hours of hectic diplomatic business. They include Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA), Agreement on the Ports Management in Nepal-China Border Areas (APMA), Agreement on Trans-frontier Pasturing by Border Inhabitants (ATPBP), Strengthening bilateral Cooperation, Nepal Armed Police Capacity Building, Agreement on Cultural Cooperation (ACC), Nepal Police Equipment Improvement Agreement (NPIA) and Memorandum of Understanding on Operationalization of Loan Mechanism (MoU on OLM).
Shrestha said Premier Wen Jiabo was positive towards Nepal’s demand that railway connectivity from border area of China be extended upto Kathmandu and then to Lumbini in the future and called it a ‘meaningful response’.
"The two sides agreed to further intensify cooperation in socio-economic development, promotion of trade and tourism, hydropower, transportation infrastructure development and other fields on the basis of equality and mutual benefit," says a four pages long joint statement between Nepal and China at the end of Wen's Nepal visit. China made it clear that it wanted its competitive and established companies to expand in Nepal. Although, the Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement (BIPPA) could not be signed, there were indications that talks would continue in that direction.
"China encourages and supports competent and established companies and enterprises to promote investment and joint ventures in Nepal," the statement says.
There will be a loan mechanism between Nepal and China in the coming days since Nepal is also looking for concessional loan from China for expansion and upgrading of Pokhara airport, Upper Trisuli 3A Hydro Power projects along with many other development projects.
Chinese side also agreed to expedite the implementation of various developing projects, including the upgrade and expansion of existing Ring Road of Kathmandu and Tatopani Dry Port. Not only has the development of infrastructure, China also wants its neighbor's security being more efficient. What was new and perhaps more significant was Premier Wen’s symbolic support to Nepal’s security sector. China gave 10 million RMB for Nepal Armed Police capacity building and 4 million RMB for Civil Police equipment improvement.
To promote the existing level of understanding and friendship, the year 2012 has been announced as 'Nepal-China Year of Friendly Exchange' by two sides. "The two sides agreed to promote exchange and cooperation in the areas of culture, education and between youths, media, think tank, scholars of two countries," says the statement released at the end of the visit.
"Nepal and China have identical or similar positions on major international issues, such as global financial crisis, energy and food insecurity," the statement said, promising that a new era of ‘support each other's participation in regional cooperation’ will begin.
