Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that Nepal is committed to implement the Belt and Road Initiative of China and work further with the northern neighbour. 

During a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Yu Hong in Baluwatar on Saturday, the PM said that Nepal would work closely with China in various projects under the BRI.

Ambassador Hu had reminded the PM about the signing of the BRI and needs to work together to expedite the initiative.

Deuba informed the Chinese envoy that a panel headed by the secretary at the Ministry of Finance, which is tasked to select projects under the BRI, was working on that.

The government has formed two panels under the finance and foreign secretaries to select and identify the projects under the BRI. 

Brushing aside speculations that the two had held discussions on contemporary political matters in the meeting, PM’s foreign relations adviser Dinesh Bhattarai said, “The Chinese ambassador met with the PM specifically for the upcoming 19th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party.”

PM Deuba congratulated the Chinese envoy for holding the congress and extended his best wishes to the Chinese leadership for its success.

He also communicated to the Chinese ambassador that Nepal attaches highest priority to its relations with China, sticks to one-China policy and its interest to work closely with China.