China on June 23 commended Nepal’s decision to reject a security partnership with the United
States and said it would continue to support Kathmandu’s “independent foreign policy”.
Chinese Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Nepal saw the State Partnership
Programme (SPP) as a military and security initiative closely linked to the US Indo-Pacific
strategy, which goes “against the national interests of Nepal and its long-held non-aligned,
balanced foreign policy”. Kathmandu on (June 20) said it would not move ahead with the SPP
amid widespread opposition to the partnership from within the country. Wang Wenbin said
“As Nepal’s friendly and close neighbour and strategic cooperative partner, China commends
the Nepalese government’s decision, China will continue to support Nepal in upholding its
sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and support Nepal’s commitment to its
independent and non-aligned foreign policy. China stands ready to work with Nepal to jointly
safeguard regional security, stability, and shared prosperity.”
(Comment: China has been active in Nepal in opposing the SPP.)
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