1 October, founding day of modern China
1 October 2021 is the 72nd Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China. On this auspicious occasion, on behalf of the Nepal China Cultural and Educational Council, I would like to express my best wishes and hearty congratulations to the Government and People of China for their prosperity and happiness.
Nepal and China enjoy warm and friendly relations, linked by mountains and rivers. We are close neighbours and true friends. People of both countries enjoy friendly relations for generations. Our relation is based on a solid foundation that dates back thousands of years. Relations are firmly based on five principles of peaceful coexistence. Our relations have been marked by cordial friendship, mutual understanding and deep trust since ancient times. No matter whatever be a change in the international or internal situation, Nepal-China relations always remain intact. There is only friendship, deep feelings and cooperation between us.
The people of the two countries respect each other, support each other, learn from each other, and help each other in disasters and difficulties such as earthquakes and epidemics. They have written a good story of friendship. In the history of friendly exchanges between the two countries, peopleto-people and cultural exchanges have always been an important part of the exchanges between the two countries and have played an important role in enhancing mutual understanding and deepening the feelings between the peoples from the two peoples. China’s willingness to support Nepal in all her difficult times is well appreciated by the people and Government of Nepal. The frequent exchange of visits between Nepal and China even at a higher level to the people level contacts, have significantly helped strengthen and consolidate the ties of friendship that subsist between the two close neighbours. Growing interaction and mutual contact between us have contributed to further deepen and broaden the friendly relationship that covers political, economic, educational and cultural fields. In October 2019, President Xi Jinping paid a successful state visit to Nepal and the leaders of two countries announced the elevation of NepalChina relations to "Strategic Partnership of Cooperation Featuring Ever-lasting Friendship for Development and Prosperity". The year 2021 marks the 66th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China. This retrospective briefly looks back upon the exchanges and cooperation between Nepal and China in all areas and shows the great achievements of the continuous development of Nepal–China friendship.
Chinese cooperation in building infrastructure, industries, highways, hospitals, schools, sports and communication facilities has been very useful and highly appreciated by the Government and people of Nepal. China has already become the second-largest economies in the world. In near future, the completion of the railroad from Lhasa-Shigatse to Kerung is going to have far-reaching impacts on Nepal trade, tourism and people to people relations with China. China has made great strides in the field of science, technology and modernization in every sphere of its normal life.
The new corona virus-related pneumonia epidemic has been delayed for more than a year, the epidemic fluctuates repeatedly, the virus mutates frequently, and the situation is complex and severe. Overcoming the epidemic at an early date and restoring economic growth is the primary task of the international community and the common aspiration of all countries in the world. The epidemic knows no borders, and the virus endangers mankind. In the face of such a pandemic of the century, as President Xi Jinping pointed out, “Unity and cooperation are the most powerful weapons to overcome the epidemic. The sunshine of cooperation must dispel the haze of the epidemic.” In this unprecedented fight against the epidemic, China has made great efforts. With her sacrifice and courage, China is at the forefront of the fight against the epidemic, not only effectively curbing the domestic epidemic, but also developed vaccines at the fastest speed, actively contributing Chinese wisdom and strength to the global fight against the epidemic, and practising the concept of a community of human health and health.
China has always been an active practitioner of international antiepidemic cooperation. "Unity and cooperation" is the most frequent term used by President Xi Jinping to explain his propositions to fight the epidemic. Since the outbreak of the epidemic, China has provided US$2 billion in aid to developing countries and supplied more than 280 billion masks, more than 3.4 billion pieces of protective clothing, and more than 4 billion test kits to the world. It will provide another 30 in the next three years. US$100 million in international aid is used to support developing countries' fight against the epidemic and restore economic and social development.
China is also the biggest contributor to equitable access to vaccines. As the largest developing country and a responsible member of the international community, China has provided more than 700 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to more than 100 countries and is the country that provides the largest number of vaccines to developing countries despite its huge needs. Recently, President Xi Jinping announced in his written speech to the first meeting of the COVID-19 Vaccine Cooperation International Forum that China will strive to provide 2 billion doses of vaccine to the world throughout this year, and donate 100 million US dollars to the "New Corona Vaccine Implementation Plan" for Vaccines are distributed in developing countries. Up to now, China has provided 1.8 million doses of vaccines to Nepal and delivered 4 million doses of vaccines purchased through commercial channels to Nepal. Recently, the Chinese government has decided to provide another 1.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Nepal and will continue to facilitate the commercial procurement of vaccines for Nepal from China.
Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), since the reform and opening up, China has developed superfast and shocked the world with its achievements, becoming a socialist power. In the face of the epidemic, China has done a very good job in controlling the spread of the virus, ensuring the health and safety of the people, sending experts to support other countries and making great contributions to mankind.
CPC is the largest Marxist ruling party in the world with more than 70 years in power in the largest socialist country and more than 91 million members. CPC seeks happiness for the Chinese people and is also a party that strives for the cause of human progress. As CPC celebrates its centennial anniversary, representatives of various political parties in Nepal join us in the grand event, reviewing history, sharing experience, and looking forward to the future. This is of great significance to promoting the relationship between the two parties and the two countries and enhancing mutual understanding. This year at the end of March this year, China provided free aid to Nepal for the first batch of new corona vaccines. Given the high demand for vaccination both domestically and internationally, President Xi Jinping personally announced the additional aid to Nepal for the new corona vaccine during this call, which fully reflects the deep friendship between him and the Chinese government and people for the Nepalese people.
China has lifted all of its more than 90 million rural poor people out of poverty under current standards. This is a great achievement that no country in the world has been able to achieve. China's poverty alleviation experience and model can provide a reference for other countries and help the world to get rid of poverty.
The Communist Party of China has achieved its centennial goal of leading the Chinese people out of poverty at the historic moment. We all believe that China's second centenary goal will also be realized as scheduled.
On this special and joyful occasion, I would like the express my best wishes to the Government and people of China for their prosperity and happiness and best regards to the friendship between Nepal and China.