China says its close ties with Nepal will not affect 'any third party'

China on Wednesday said that its close ties with Nepal, reinforced during recent visit of its Defence Minister to Himalayan nation, will t affect "any third party". Defence Minister Gen Wei Fenghe met Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and held talks with Army Chief Gen. Purna Chandra Thapa on ways to resume military cooperation and training impacted by COVID-19 pandemic during his visit on Sunday.

"We believe that our cooperation is in benefit of both peoples and conducive to socio-ecomic development in Nepal. This relationship will t affect any third party," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing here on a question on Gen. Wei's visit.

During his visit, Gen Wei, also a State Councillor, lauded Nepal's leership for resolutely pursuing "one-China" policy and offered firm support to Himalayan country in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, defence ministry said here on Monday. He also pledged to provide ditional assistance to Nepali Army in fighting COVID-19 pandemic, according to a statement issued by Nepal Army.

Under "one-China" policy, Beijing emphasises or countries to recognise Taiwan and Tibet as part of China, it said. As China firmed up its ties with Nepal, which shares borders with Tibet, with heavy investments besides loans and financial assistance, Beijing wants Kathmandu to stop free-flow of Tibetans to travel to Dharamshala in India to meet Tibet's highest spiritual leer Dalai Lama, statement said. Nepal also has a large chunk of Tibetan population.

85-year-old Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 following a crackdown on an uprising by local population in Tibet. India granted him political asylum and Tibetan government-in-exile is based on Dharamsala in Himachal Presh since n. China views 14th Dalai Lama as a "separatist" working to split Tibet from China. Asked about Nepal's assurance to China that Nepalese soil would t be used for any anti-China activities and wher Beijing perceives any threats emanating from Nepal, Hua skirted a direct response.

"China and Nepal are friendly neighbours linked by mountains and rivers. This year marks 65th anniversary of our relations. We have been standing toger in COVID-19 and we have been elevating our mutual trust and friendship. We will continue to enhance our cooperation and build BRI (Belt and Ro Initiative) toger and elevate relations," she said.

Gen. Wei’s visit came days after India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla wrapped up his maiden two-day visit to Nepal. In first week of vember, Indian Army Chief Gen. M M Naravane paid a three-day visit to Nepal aimed at resetting bilateral ties that came under severe strain following a bitter border row between two countries.

Gen. Wei's visit also comes amidst an ongoing political rift in ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) that resurfaced following a meeting between Prime Minister Oli and his rival Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'. China's political profile in Nepal has been on rise in recent years with billions of dollars of investments under Beijing's multi-billion-dollar Belt and Ro Initiative (BRI), including building of Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network. Besides investments, China's ambassor to Nepal Hou Yanqi has been making efforts to garner support for Prime Minister Oli, who is facing a rebellion from faction led by 'Prachanda', also a former prime minister.