China commended the Nepali government’s decision to reject the United States’ partnership program and reaffirmed support for Nepal’s “non-aligned foreign policy,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on June 23.
Nepal rejected the State Partnership Program (SPP) after a leaked draft of the program, which the United States reportedly forwarded to the Nepali leadership, sparked heated political debates.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that Nepal views the SPP as “a military and security initiative closely linked to the Indo–Pacific Strategy,” which goes against the national interests of Nepal and its nonaligned foreign policy.
“As Nepal’s friendly and close neighbor and strategic cooperative partner, China commends the Nepali government’s decision,” Wang told reporters, adding that Beijing is prepared to work with Nepal on regional security….