Beijing, May 26—The International Department of the CPC Central Committee and the main political parties of Nepal jointly held a video call here today on “fighting the COVID-19 and protecting the people’s safety together—Chinese and Nepali political parties join hands in fighting against the epidemic”. Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, Chairperson of National Assembly of Federal Parliament of Nepal, Ishwor Pokharel, Nepali Deputy Prime Minister and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist), Prachanda, Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center) and former Prime Minister, Upendra Yadav, Chairperson of People's Socialist Party, Narayan Man Bijukchhe, President of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP), Pashupati SJB Rana, Chair of the Rashtriya Prajatantra Party, and Narayan Khadka, Member of Nepali Congress Central Working Committee, delivered speeches at the meeting.

Song said, linked by the same mountains and rivers, China and Nepal are good brothers who always stand alongside each other and enjoy a long-standing friendship. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the two countries have particularly shared weal and woe, and promoted the friendship between the Chinese and Nepalese people. Currently, the epidemic situation in Nepal is still grim, which poses a great threat to people’s lives and health. President Xi Jinping pointed out at the recently held Global Health Summit that to clinch an early victory against COVID-19 and restore economic growth remains the top priority for the international community. He then gave five important instructions in terms of tackling the epidemic, and announced China’s five initiatives to further support the global epidemic prevention. In order to earnestly implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech and express the goodwill of General Secretary Xi Jinping, the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government to Nepal and show the firm determination to promote cooperation through epidemic prevention and the development of China-Nepal strategic cooperative partnership, the Chinese side will provide the medical and material assistance within its capacity for Nepal major political parties and social organizations through intra-party channels. It is believed that Nepal will be able to overcome the epidemic and achieve new development as soon as possible.

Song said, since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as its core, China has achieved historic achievements in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, achieved a comprehensive victory in alleviating poverty and tackling the problem of absolute poverty for the first time in history, and embarked on a new journey of fully building a socialist modern country. As a political party seeking happiness for the Chinese people and devoted to the cause of human progress, the CPC is willing to work together with the Nepali political parties, implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two parties and countries and enhance strategic communication and cooperation. The Chinese side will, as always, support all parties in Nepal to fight against the epidemic, benefit the two countries and peoples with more cooperative achievements, and jointly contribute to the world peace and stability.

Timilsina and other leaders of political parties of Nepal warmly congratulated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, spoke highly of the great achievements made by the Chinese people in fighting against the epidemic and developing the economy under the leadership of CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, sincerely appreciated the support of the Chinese side for Nepal’s efforts in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity and the great help to the fight against the epidemic. Besides, the Nepali side expressed its adherence to the one-China policy and promised to strongly oppose any forces to use the Nepal's territory to engage in any anti-China activities. Led by the inter-party relationship, the Nepali side will, work together with the China side to promote practical cooperation in epidemic prevention, economic development and the Belt and Road Initiative, so as to jointly build a community of shared future between Nepal and China.

Chen Zhou, Vice-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee presided over the exchange meeting. Hou Yanqi, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Xu Jianguo, Secretary-general of the China Foundation for Peace and Development, representatives of Chinese enterprises which donated materials to Nepal, leaders of Nepal’s friendship organizations and representatives of medical workers were present.

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