China silent on Lipulekh issue, stresses BRI and Taiwan
KATHMANDU, Aug 31: In the joint statements released after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday, Nepal and China highlighted different priorities. While Nepal claimed Oli firmly raised the Lipulekh issue, the Chinese foreign ministry’s official statement made no mention of it.
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A release from Nepal’s embassy in Beijing stated that Oli told Xi Lipulekh is Nepali territory and expressed strong objection to the China–India agreement to open a trade route there.
In contrast, the Chinese foreign ministry’s detailed statement omitted any reference to Lipulekh, border disputes, or Nepal’s objections. Instead, it emphasized Xi’s commitment to support Nepal’s “Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali” vision, cooperation in multilateral forums like the UN and SCO, and the implementation of high-quality Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects.
According to the Chinese statement, Xi thanked Nepal for its firm commitment to the “One China Policy.” It also noted Oli’s assurances that Nepal strongly upholds the “One China Principle,” opposes “Taiwan independence,” and will not allow any power to use Nepali soil against China’s interests.
The statement added that Oli sought deeper cooperation with China in trade, investment, agriculture, science and technology, and tourism under the BRI framework.
Oli is in China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. The Chinese statement said senior Communist Party leaders Cai Qi, Wang Yi, and Chen Min’er were also present at the Tianjin meeting.
