PLA seeks more Nepal Army support against ‘Free Tibet’ activities

March 31, 2016;

My Republica (Nepal) 30 March 2016

CHHENGDU, March 31: General Xu Qiliang, vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission (CMC), has proposed with Nepal Army Chief to increase cooperation in defence strategy between the two countries.

Vice-chairman Xu floated the proposal with Nepalese Army Chief Rajendra Chhettri, who is on a China visit, just few days after Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed China’s willingness to develop long-term strategic bilateral relations with Nepal with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

Chhetri left for China on Sunday, the same day when Prime Minister Oli returned home after a weeklong China visit.

Xu is regarded as the chief of the defence affairs at the Central Military Commission (CMC), which is headed by President Xi, while Chief of People’s Liberation Army of China General Fang Fengui is a member of the commission and chief of joint staff department of the commission.

Chinese media have stated that Xu urged the Nepal Army chief to increase strategic cooperation for regional peace and stability as part of implementation of the political understanding reached between Prime Minister Oli and the Chinese leadership.

Xu at the meeting on Tuesday thanked Nepal Army for its success in controlling anti-China activities in Nepal and sought further cooperation in defence, security, exchange of information, humanitarian cooperation and disaster management.

Chief of the People’s Liberation Army of China General Fang, who met with Chhetri on Monday, floated a proposal to extend further cooperation to stop “Free Tibet” activities in Nepal at the same meeting. Stating that the Nepal-China cooperation has been developed into a new model based on ‘one-belt, one road’ strategy, Fang said military cooperation between the two sides will be part of that strategy.

In response, Chhettri reiterated Nepal’s firm commitment toward One-China policy and assured them of not allowing any anti-China activities in Nepal. Appreciating Chinese Army’s support to Nepal in the aftermath of earthquakes last year, Chhettri said Nepal Army was always ready to further strengthen relations between the governments and armies of the two neighbouring countries.

Meanwhile, the two sides signed an agreement on Chinese Army providing 30 million yuan (around 500 million rupees) to Nepal Army. As per the agreement, the Chinese Army will provide Nepal Army with trainings, emergency services and mobile hospital operation.