Deepening ties: China gives Rs 1.42bn military aid

KATHMANDU- In a symbolic gesture aimed at strengthening cooperation with the Nepal Army, China on Wednesday signed a bilateral agreement with the Nepal Army pledging assistance worth Rs. 1.42 billion (130 million RMB).

A memorandum of understanding to this effect was signed between the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Chhatra Man Singh Gurung and the visiting Chinese Army Chief Gen. Chen Bingde.

Chief of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA),
General Chen Bingde (Left) meets his Nepali
counterpart General Chhatraman Singh Gurung
at the Nepal Army headquarters
on Wednesday, 23 March 2011.

China will provide medical equipment for the Birendra Sainik Hospital and logistics required for rescue operations worth 1.09 billion (100 million RMB) for the Nepal Army. The visit of the 15-member Chinese Army delegation at the invitation of the Nepali Army chief marks the highest-level of military exchange from China in recent years. China has said Gen. Chen’s visit will focus on deepening the military relationship between the two countries and ensure peace at the Tibet frontier.

The agreement, signed on the first day of the three-day official visit of the Chinese Army chief, also commits engineering equipment including heavy construction vehicles worth Rs. 327.6 million (30 million RMB) from China. Upon his arrival, the Chinese Army chief stressed the need of enhancing government and military-level relationship between the two countries.

“The Chinese government and the PLA (Chinese army) attach great importance to developing friendly relations of cooperation between our two countries and armed forces. To carry out mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Nepal not only serves the interests of both countries but also benefits the maintenance of peace, stability and development in the region,” said the visiting General at the Tribhuwan International Airport.

 “We are paying this visit for the purpose of further enhancing mutual understanding, promoting friendship, strengthening cooperation and propelling the China-Nepal Comprehensive Partnership of Cooperation featuring everlasting friendship to move ahead constantly,” he added.

This is the highest-level of military attention shown by China to Nepal in more than 11 years, according to a two-star General who attended the briefing with the visiting Army chief organised by the Army Headquarters.

“Given the security sensitiveness of Tibet and Nepal’s continued respect to the one-China policy, the Chinese side seems keen on increasing its assistance to Nepal Army and other security forces,” he said. “They have expressed desire to see a stable Nepal with social progress and economic prosperity.”

Before the meeting with his Nepali counterpart at the Army Headquarters, the Chinese Army Chief attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the Army Pavilion. The visiting delegation was briefed on the current role of the Nepal Army after his meeting with Gen. Gurung, where the Nepali Army chief reaffirmed commitment of the Nepal government towards the one-China policy.

The military delegation is scheduled to meet President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal and Defence Minister Bishnu Poudel on Thursday. “I am looking forward to exchanging in-depth views with leaders of the Nepalese government and its military and other issues of common interest. I am confident that with the thoughtful arrangement of our host, this visit will achieve its purpose and make a complete success,” the Chinese Army chief said in his arrival address.