 |
Kathmandu Thursday February 22, 2001 Falgun 11, 2057.
|
Chinese
Defense Minister arrives
Bilateral talks held, RNA training to be enhanced
Post Report
KATHMANDU, Feb 21 - Chinese Defense Minister
General Chi Haotian landed in the capital this afternoon, starting his four-day official
visit that marks the first ever visit by an official from the northern neighbour holding
the Defense portfolio.
Minister Haotian, who is also the
Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission and State Councillor of China, was
received by Defense Minister Mahesh Acharya at the Tribhuvan International Airport, amid a
guard of honour presented by a contingent from the Royal Nepal Army (RNA).
Prajjwala S Rana, the Chief of Army Staff,
and other high-level RNA officials were also present on the occasion.
"During the visit, I will exchange views
with Nepali leaders on cementing bilateral relations between our two countries and armies
in the new century, and other issues of interest," read a statement by Defense
Minister Haotian which was issued soon after his arrival.
"To further promote Nepal-China
friendship in the new century not only serves the fundamental interest of the people of
the two countries, but also contributes to peace and stability in the region,"
Haotian said.
Later in the evening, the two defense
ministers held bilateral talks at the Defense Ministry at Singha Durbar.
Talking to The Kathmandu Post after the
talks, Minister Acharya said that the talks basically focused on strengthening bilateral
relations prior to the visit of Their Majesties to China on February 26. He also said that
enhancing training to senior-level RNA officers also focused during the talks.
"The Chinese side was positive on our
proposal to develop a (UN) Regional Peacekeeping Centre at Paanchkhal (Kavre),"
Minister Acharya said. China is one of the five permanent Security Council members in the
United Nations. The other members are Britain, France, Russia and United States.
Nepal had also raised the issue during the
visit of British Secretary of State for Defense, Geoffrey Hoon, last December. Hoon had
even visited the UN Training Centre proposed site.
"Apart from effectively enhancing the
RNA, we also discussed on increasing the number of seats for senior-level Nepali army
officers in their academy," he added.
Chief of Army Staff Prajjwala S Rana and
Defense Secretary Padam Kumar Acharya were present from the Nepali side during the talks.
Zhang Tiegen, Charge d Affairs at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, was also including in
the Chinese team.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nepal is presently
in China preparing for the seven-day state visit of Their Majesties.
Earlier, answering to queries raised by
journalists at the TIA and prior to the arrival of the Chinese Defense Minister, Minister
Acharya had denied that the present visit had to do with any arms deal. "This is just
a goodwill visit. There are no fixed agenda for talks or any agreements," he said.
Minister Haotian, accompanied by his wife Jiang
Qingping, and 18-other Chinese officials, is slated to visit Lumbini and Pokahara
tomorrow. He is also slated to hold bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Chakra Prasad
Bastola on Friday.
Other Stories
|
