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Agence France-Presse

Nepal rolled out the red carpet for China’s President Xi Jinping on Saturday but rounded up Tibetans to prevent protests during the first state visit by a Chinese leader in 23 years.
Xi arrived after two days of talks in neighbouring India, and is expected to use his time in Kathmandu to push Beijing’s controversial infrastructure development programme.
Although India has traditionally been Nepal’s main ally, China has intensified its presence in the impoverished Himalayan nation, pumping millions of dollars into projects ranging from roads to hydropower plants.

Nepalese President Bidhya Devi Bhandari welcomed Xi at Kathmandu airport to the sounds of the two countries’ national anthems, played by an army band.
After arriving, Xi said he expected “to upgrade China-Nepal relations, enhance connectivity between the two countries and deliver more benefits” to their peoples, Xinhua reported on Sunday.
In a signed article published in Nepali newspapers on Friday, Xi said he would use the two-day visit to “renew friendship and explore cooperation with my Nepali friends”.
“It is important that we adopt a strategic and long-term perspective and draw up a blueprint for our bilateral relationship to take it to a new height in this new era,” Xi said.

The International Campaign for Tibet, a Washington-based pressure group, said at least 18 people were arrested in the days ahead of Xi’s arrival. These included two Nepali shopkeepers selling bags with Tibetan flags or slogans. Fourteen remained in detention on Saturday.
In 1959, Beijing sent soldiers to crush a revolt in Tibet, forcing the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s spiritual leader, fleeing to India where he remains.
Nepal is home to about 20,000 exiled Tibetans, but under pressure from Beijing the communist government has taken an increasingly hardline stance on their activities.
“There is heavy police presence. It is an intimidating situation. We’ve been asked to stay in,” one Tibetan said on condition of anonymity.
Nepalese authorities declined to comment.

In 2017, Nepal signed up to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, a vast global infrastructure programme, which includes the building or upgrading of motorways and airports in the country.
“A trans-Himalayan connectivity network is taking shape, which will serve not just our two countries but also the region as a whole,” Xi said in his article.
Landlocked Nepal, sandwiched between India and China, is seeking closer ties and much-needed energy and infrastructure investment from Beijing.
Nepal’s Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali said Xi’s visit held “historic significance” for Nepal.
“Our priority is to create opportunities for Nepal, joining it to China’s development. We are focusing on connectivity between the two countries,” he said.
Xi seeks to highlight cooperation on visits to India and Nepal
Although no official announcement has been made, it is expected that the two countries will sign agreements for Chinese investment in motorways, tunnels and hydropower projects.
High on the agenda is the extension of China’s Kerung railway from the border to Nepal’s capital Kathmandu, but there have been warnings over the financial commitments.
“Nepal has to be conscious when it reaches the point of financial dealings on these projects and build capacity to negotiate and not fall into debt traps,” said Sudheer Sharma, editor of the Kantipur national daily.
Xi will hold talks with Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and other top leaders, including Bhandari.


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Belt and Road Initiative

President Xi Jinping looks to ‘upgrade China-Nepal relations’ during two-day visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a welcoming ceremony held by Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari on his arrival in Kathmandu. Photo: Xinhua

(191012) -- KATHMANDU, Oct. 12, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping is greeted by Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari and her daughter Usha Kiran Bhandari upon his arrival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Oct. 12, 2019. Xi Jinping arrived in Kathmandu on Saturday for a state visit to Nepal. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

A Nepalese man holds Chinese and Nepalese flag as he waits to welcome Chinese president Xi Jinping in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, Oct 12, 2019. Xi arrived Saturday from New Delhi, where he met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was received by Nepalese President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli at the Kathmandu airport. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)

(191012) -- KATHMANDU, Oct. 12, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, accompanied by Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari, reviews the guard of honour during a welcome ceremony held at the airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, Oct. 12, 2019. Xi Jinping arrived in Kathmandu on Saturday for a state visit to Nepal. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Steer clear of India-Pakistan dispute over Kashmir, New Delhi warns Beijing

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua

China extends hand to Pakistan while reaching out to India

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks with Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan (not pictured) during their meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on October 9, 2019. Photo: AFP

(180428) -- WUHAN, April 28, 2018 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, April 28, 2018. Xi held an informal meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday and Saturday in Wuhan. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) (zyd)

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan (second from left) holds talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping (second from right) during their meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Chinese President Xi Jinping seeks to highlight cooperation over conflict on visit to India and Nepal

Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi are set to meet in the southern Indian city of Mamallapuram. Photo: AFP

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, November 2, 2018. REUTERS/Thomas Peter/Pool

The proposed China-built Budhi Gandaki dam has been stalled for several months, despite the ruling government's friendly ties with Beijing. 15APR19 SCMP / Sarah Zheng

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with Nepalese Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 21, 2016. Nepal's prime minister Oli left on March 20 for a week-long visit to China aimed at deepening ties following months of frosty relations with neighbouring India. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Lintao Zhang

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Leader says he wants to ‘enhance connectivity between the two countries and deliver more benefits’ to their people
Himalayan nation rolls out the red carpet as Xi arrives for talks in Kathmandu



Chinese president says in Kathmandu he wants to ‘enhance connectivity between the two countries and deliver more benefits’ to their people.


Xi Jinping

Nepal

President Xi Jinping looks to ‘upgrade China-Nepal relations’ during two-day visit

Leader says he wants to ‘enhance connectivity between the two countries and deliver more benefits’ to their people Himalayan nation rolls out the red carpet as Xi arrives for talks in Kathmandu

Leader says he wants to ‘enhance connectivity between the two countries and deliver more benefits’ to their people

Himalayan nation rolls out the red carpet as Xi arrives for talks in Kathmandu