Distinguished Mr. Kishor Shrestha, Chairman of the Nepal-China Media Forum
Distinguished Mr. Krishnamohan Shrestha, Chairman of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Pokhara)
Ladies and Gentlemen, my dear friends,
It is an honor for me to be invited by both the Nepal-China Media Forum and the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Pokhara), to attend the Celebration of the 56th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Nepal and China and the 60th Anniversary of Tibet's Peaceful Liberation, and the Establishment Ceremony of the Nepal-China Media Forum (Western Regional Branch) in the picturesque Pokhara.
It has a long history of exchanges between Nepal and China, our people are close friends from generation to generation and our relations are known as "friendship across the Himalayas." It has been 56 years since August 1, 1955 when the two countries established their diplomatic ties. Since then, the development of our bilateral relations has always maintained healthy, stable and all-direction, despite the ever-changing international and domestic situation. In 2009, the two countries established the Comprehensive Partnership of Cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship, while the exchanges and cooperation in various fields have been deepened and the bilateral relations have reached new heights.
I have met a lot of government officials, party leaders and people from all walks of life in a month's time since arrived. Regardless of different ministries and parties they came from and diverse sectors they were engaged in, they had all sent me a common key message that the people of Nepal are eagerly expecting our traditional relationship to be ever new and shoot up higher and higher like sesame flowers. As the new Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, when facing this expectation, I feel the heavy responsibility for maintaining and promoting our traditional friendship. Together with Nepali friends, I will do my best to continuously push forward exchanges and cooperation between Nepal and China in various fields such as politics, economy and culture. I firmly believe that the deep friendship between the two peoples, which is shouldered by Himalayas, the world's highest peak, will be inherited for generations.
This year is the 60th Anniversary of Tibet's Peaceful Liberation. On May 23, 1951, the Agreement of the Central People's Government and the Local Government of Tibet on Measures for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet was signed in Beijing, marking the peaceful liberation of Tibet. It marked the end of the aggression and political, economic fetters of the imperialist forces, safeguarded China's national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and achieved the unity of all nationalities. Since then, the history of Tibet has been opened a new chapter. Over 60 years, under the leadership of the Central Government and aid from across the nation, all ethnic groups in Tibet have become their own masters, and leapfrog development has been achieved in both economy and society. The poor and weak old Tibet under the theocratic feudal serfdom has been changed forever. Here I want to say, the Government of Nepal firmly pursues the One-China policy, recognizing Tibet is an inalienable part of China. It has become a national consensus that the Government of Nepal never allows any forces to engage in anti-China activities in its territory, which wins praise and appreciation from the Chinese government and people.
The communication in our media sector is an important part of the traditional friendly relations and people-to-people exchanges between our two countries. The Nepal-China Media Forum has been actively committed to promoting exchanges and cooperation between the media, and strengthening friendly relations between the two countries. Today is a landmark for the Forum since its Western Regional Branch was established which offers a new platform for our media exchanges. I believe that with our joint efforts, the bilateral friendly cooperation will be continuously deepened and consolidated.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Forum and the Federation (Pokhara) again for the work you have done to celebrate the establishment of our diplomatic ties and the Tibet's peaceful liberation, and sincerely wish the two organizations would be better and play greater roles for the development of comprehensive cooperative partnership between the two countries. Let us join hands to create a bright future of our bilateral friendship!
Thank you.