Good afternoon, Dear Comrade Deputy Mayor Mr. Du Haiyong, Mr. Liu Guanghai, Mr. Shi Lei, Mr. Xu Yong, Madam Tian Bihua, Mr. Zhou, Ladies and gentlemen !

I am much honored to be invited to participate in this activity. My Chinese is limited and I will share my views with you in English.

I am delighted to accept the hospitality of the Suining People’s Government, Sichuan China. At this important moment today, I would like to make a short statement regarding the multilateral relations and friendship between us.

The relationship between Nepal and China is more than five thousand years old and is a family relationship. Over time, due to various reasons, including work and finding safe accommodation, we have been separated from each other physically, so we are currently living in two countries. However, we have a unique relationship between a small and a large country in the world. The leaders of Nepal and China have referred to this relationship as the relationship between flesh and blood, Mount Everest and rivers. In my understanding and opinion, the relationship between Nepal and China is a relationship of heart and blood. That can never be separated. I believe that through unity, mutual trust, friendship and mutual cooperation and exchange of experience between us, a more harmonious, strong, effective and family relationship can be revived.

Born in China, Manjushree (Wen Shu Pu Sa) came to Kathmandu Valley and established a settlement on the hill of Nagarjuna. A famous artist from Nepal, Arniko, went to China and built many monasteries, including white monastery. In addition, events such as Araniko’s marriage while traveling to different places in China, Princess Bhrikuti (Khridzun) of Nepal’s marriage to King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet, etc., are mentioned in the history of the two countries.

We have a rich history since Chinese scholar tourist Fa Xian, Xuan Zhang (Hsiuen Tsang) visited Nepal. What this further explains is that the relationship between Nepal and China was unique in the world. Nepal and China’s Tibet used the same coin, and had a special relationship in trade and commerce. History has witnessed that the daughter of the King of Khas was married to the brother of the King of Tibet in 1295 BC and later the King of Khas allowed his daughter-in-law to run the kingdom. In memory of this, Kankrebihar was built in 1305 BC. The Bihar was destroyed in the 1934 AD (1990 BS) earthquake. It has now been rebuilt. Located in the neighboring Surkhet district, this Kankrebihar is also a witness to the “Bhurigaun Telpani” link road that links China’s Silk Road. Cultural, religious, economic, diplomatic, political and other multidimensional harmonious relations have existed between Nepal and China since ancient times.

Suining is believed to be the birthplace of Guanying, the goddess of mercy, the world-famous propagator of Eastern civilizations. There is an old and famous temple of Bageshwori Mata, the goddess of mercy and compassion, in Nepalganj. In front of the temple of Bageshwari Mata, there is a statue of Lord Moustache Mahadev, the only one in the world. Both of these are symbols of Eastern civilization. Suining’s Guanyin, Kailash Mansarovar, Nepal’s Kankrebihar, Bageshwari Mata Temple and Junge (moustache) Mahadev and Lumbini can become a new circuit of religious destinations for Chinese, Nepali, Indian and Buddhist and Hindu tourists from around the world. If this happens, it will play an important role in building the common destiny and future of China and Nepal.

At present, an important agreement has been reached between the city of Suining and the city of Nepalgunj on the three issues of culture, tourism and health. I believe that this agreement will prove to be a milestone in building the common destiny and future of these two cities.

I came to Suining, China for the first time in 2011. At that time, the wide roads had just been constructed. I enjoyed riding the motorboat on the river near the city. Which has now been transformed into Lotus Park. Seeing the lotus flowers brought from many countries of the world made me happy. I also visited the famous Guanyin Buddha temple. The confluence of river and human life and the beauty created by it can be seen in Suining. This city incorporates greenery with great importance. People here are very helpful, friendly, soulful and fun-loving. Suining has promoted tourism, culture, health and education with great importance. I remember my friends from Suining once more at this time. I respectfully thank you to my Chinese friends who have played a role in making Suining clean, tidy, green, prosperous and developed. I have been to Suining many times since 2011. The green, clean and beautiful city Suining has won my heart and makes me come again and again. Recently, I visited Suining in the last week of December 2022.

Nepalgunj is my father’s hometown. My father studied and grew up in Nepalgunj city. Its soil and climate mingle with our bodies and life. Nepalgunj is not only a historical city of Nepal but also a city with ample potential and a bright future. This city is also a model city of ethnic and religious acceptance. Now the time has come for Nepalgunj to lead the development and prosperity of this region. Today, at this historic moment, I am very cheerful and optimistic. Today is a day of happiness, joy and success for me, who has been playing an active role in making the relationship between Nepal and China even stronger, harmonious and effective since 1987. Over time, I have felt the reunion of families who were emotionally separated from each other due to various reasons, including the search for work and safe accommodation. Suining and Nepalgunj have agreed to move forward together in the fields of culture, tourism and health. I believe that unity, mutual trust, cooperation and help between us will become an excellent example in this field. Today, the three-point agreement between these two cities will play a role in the overall upliftment of the people, industrialists, businessmen, art-culture, education-health etc. of both countries. On this historically important occasion, I heartily invite our Chinese friends to visit Nepalgunj, do business, and invest. All parties have agreed to give up to 25% discount to tourists coming to visit Nepalgunj from Suining while staying in hotels and visiting local areas. I express my commitment to work together to create a comfortable environment to protect the investment of Chinese citizens who do business and invest in Nepalgunj. I would like to make my statement with the commitment to move forward on the path created by the Right Honorable President Comrade Xi Jinping in building the common destiny and future of the human community around the world. From today we are more powerful and effective.

Finally, I would like to express my special thanks and gratitude to the officials and other participants who participated in this great work. Thank you.

May the relationship between Nepal and China be eternal!

Prem Sagar Poudel
President of NCMCS