KATHMANDU, May 8: Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song paid a courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayankaji Shrestha at the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday.

During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha said that Nepal and China have historical relationship and that Nepal has no dispute with China. Shrestha reiterated that Nepal’s land will not be used against China under any circumstances and Nepal is always committed to One-China Policy.

On the occasion, Shrestha thanked Ambassador Chen for the announcement made by the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to assist the Nepal Police with 21 drones. He said that arrangements will be made to transfer the drones to Nepal soon. Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha also mentioned that he will request the relevant agencies for the implementation of mutual legal assistance agreement between the two countries.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha, meetings should be held regularly in the districts where the two countries share the border. He was of the view that the contact and coordination between the officials of the two countries working on the border areas should be intensified.

Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha said that in the past, the chief district officers of the border areas provided passes to the citizens living in the border area and this arrangement made the daily life of the residents of the border area easier. He requested the Chinese ambassador to take the initiative to restore the arrangement.

Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha, while expressing his happiness that Tatopani, Rasuwa and Hilsa checkpoints have been fully operational again, requested Ambassador Chen to take initiative to bring more checkpoints into operation soon. Shrestha also urged to take initiative to open trade channels in Bajhang's Saipal, Darchula's Tinkar, Gorkha's Ruila and Mugu.

In response, Chinese Ambassador Chen assured that he would take the initiative as per the recommendation of Nepal. He said that he also agrees with Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha's opinion that border area officials should intensify their contact and hold parallel meetings.

Ambassador Chen thanked Nepal for always supporting the One-China Policy. He said that Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Nepal in 2019 and subsequent high-level visits have brought Nepal-China relations to a higher level.

Appreciating the role played by Nepal's home administration in preventing Nepalese land from being used for anti-Chinese activities and protecting Chinese investments and property in Nepal, Ambassador Song said that he expects it to continue.

Chen asked for the necessary coordination for the implementation of the mutual legal assistance agreement signed during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Nepal. He also requested to facilitate arrangements for the immediate handing over of 21 drones that the Tibet Autonomous Region of China has announced to assist the Nepal Police.

The meeting concluded with the commitment from both sides to continue meeting as needed to further discuss certain topics and issues.

 
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