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China’s defence chief pledges military support for Nepal amid border disputes with India
- During talks in Kathmandu, Wei Fenghe vows to safeguard Nepal’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity
- Closer relations with a regional giant could give Nepalis more choices to develop their economy, analyst says
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China has vowed to strengthen its military relationship with Nepal and support its territorial integrity at a time when its small Himalayan neighbour is embroiled in border disputes with India.
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General Wei Fenghe, China’s defence minister and a state councillor, made the pledge when he met Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and held talks with Nepali Army chief Purna Chandra Thapa in Kathmandu on Sunday.
Wei is the most senior Chinese leader to visit Nepal since President Xi Jinping’s trip in October 2019, when China-Nepal relations were elevated to a “strategic partnership of cooperation”.
A statement released by the Nepali Army said the two sides had discussed the resumption of training and a student exchange programme as well as defence assistance, all of which have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to a separate report from Chinese news agency Xinhua, Wei said China would resolutely support Nepal to safeguard its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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