KATHMANDU: A Nepali delegation led by Speaker Dol Prasad (DP) Aryal and a Chinese delegation participating in the 153rd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) held a meeting today.

On the occasion, they discussed strengthening the warm and friendly relations between Nepal-China at the people-to-people level and parliamentary relations in the coming days.

On the occasion of the meeting, Speaker Aryal mentioned that there are close friendship, good neighborliness, mutual respect, and relations based on the principles of Panchasheel between Nepal and China, his secretariat informed.

He clarified that Nepal is firmly committed to the ‘One China policy’ and that Nepali land will not be used for any activities against China.

Speaker Aryal expressed gratitude for the cooperation China has been providing to transform Nepal from a landlocked to a land-linked country, emphasizing the need to make the development cooperation between the two countries more effective, the secretariat informed.

He expressed sorrow over the loss of life and property due to floods and landslides in Rasuwa recently and conveyed condolences to the families of the missing Chinese citizens.

Speaker Aryal thanked the Chinese government for the emergency financial assistance, humanitarian aid, and cooperation in search and rescue provided during the disaster. The Chinese government had provided tunnel rescue and forensic and DNA expert teams, as well as equipment such as drones.

Speaker Aryal expressed confidence that the parliamentary friendship group established between the two countries and the understanding on inter-parliamentary cooperation between the House of Representatives and the National People’s Congress of China will further strengthen parliamentary exchanges and mutual understanding, the secretariat informed.