Ex-deputy PM sees China as role model

Nepal’s former deputy prime minister Sujata Koirala said yesterday that China’s ongoing rapid economic development is a role model for Nepal as the Himalayan country is aspiring to achieve prosperity through socio-economic transformation.Koirala, who is also a leader of the Nepali Congress party, highly praised the remarkable development of China at a seminar organised by Kathmandu School of Law in Bhaktapur of Nepal.“China has achieved astounding economic growth while at the same it has reduced the poverty rate significantly in recent years. These positive transformations in China are exemplary especially for other least developed and smaller countries like Nepal which are struggling hard to achieve socio-economic growth,” she said.Koirala, who is also a former foreign minister, said China’s long-standing policy of non-interference in other country’s internal affairs is commendable.Koirala said the relationship between China and most of the South Asian countries including Nepal is growing smooth and steadfast, noting that China has been helping them to build infrastructure and connectivity projects in recent years.Khadga K C, a professor in international relations, said that Nepal can benefit from the peaceful rise of China. “Nepal can follow China’s economic model,” he said.China donates solar power generation system: China yesterday donated over 32,000 sets of solar power generation system to Nepal to enhance its domestic capacity in combating climate change.The donated items included 32,000 sets of household solar power generation system (10Wp) and 325 sets of solar power generation system (1,200Wp), battery, controller, LED bulb and case that include status indicator and system cable.Addressing the ceremony, Ram Prasad Lamsal, joint secretary at Nepal’s ministry of population and environment, expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for the support.“The support provided by China is instrumental to addressing the problems of environment and climate change. It will also benefit our people from the perspective of health and saving time,” Lamsal said.According to the Nepal government, the sets will be distributed by the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) in the districts highly affected by a devastating earthquake in 2015.Ram Prasad Dhital, executive director, AEPC, said, “The bigger power generation systems with high power will be used for the community schools, health centres and local government offices while the low power systems will be used for the households in cluster areas.”