China promises to help Nepal develop 9 sectors

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) meets with Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav at the President's Residence in Kathmandu, Nepal, Dec. 26, 2014. A Chinese delegation led by Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived here on Thursday for a three-day official goodwill visit, the highest level one from the Chinese side after the election of Nepal's Constituent Assembly in November 2013. (Xinhua/Pratap Thapa)

China has promised to help Nepal improve nine sectors to get rid of the Least Developed Countries ( LDCs) status as soon as possible, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Friday.

Wang told a press conference after his meeting with Nepali counterpart Mahendra Bahadur Pandey, China always supports Nepal in its efforts to alleviate poverty, adding that China is ready to help Nepal achieve the goal that Nepal will be removed from the LDC list by 2022.

China is ready to help Nepal improve such sectors as trade, investment, agriculture, energy, infrastructure development, science and technology, tourism, security and law enforcement as well as human resource development, Wang said.

China has raised annual aid to Nepal from 150 million yuan (24. 16 million U.S. dollars) to 800 million yuan, according to Wang.

Describing the two countries as friendly neighbors with adjoining mountains and waters, Wang said, China appreciates Nepal 's firm support on issues relating to China's core interests.

Nepal and China also agreed to enhance bilateral trade and economic prosperity for mutual development.

Pandey said that there will be exchange of high level visits as well as various events on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Nepal-China diplomatic relationship.

Wang said that China was happy to see a stronger relationship between India and Nepal.

Noting that it is beneficial for Nepal to get a strong relationship with India, Wang said, "We hope Nepal become the bridge for China to connect India and the South Asia."