Illustration: Tang Tengfei/Global Times
Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli recently paid an official visit to China. As a result of the visit,
MKsport the two sides have agreed to strengthen the synergy of their development strategies, and pursue deeper and even more concrete high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. The two sides expressed their readiness to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on building the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network and the Framework for Belt and Road Cooperation between the two Governments as soon as possible. This is seen as a continuation of the MOU for cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) signed by the two countries in 2017.
According to the framework agreement between the People's Republic of China and Nepal, the two sides agreed to jointly advance the fourth phase of the China-aided Araniko Highway maintenance project and the Hilsa-Simikot Road project, implement the second phase of the Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project. While promoting the project of repairing the Syaphrubesi-Rasuwagadhi Highway, both sides agreed to expedite the removal of obstacles along the highway and its subsequent construction. At the same time, the two sides agreed to strengthen development of port of entry. The both sides also welcomed the full resumption and normal operation of 14 traditional China-Nepal border trade points in 2024. Based on this, the Nepali side requested the Chinese side to consider the possibility of opening more bilateral and international ports. The Chinese side will facilitate the construction of the China-aided Inland Clearance Depot (ICD) and Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Korala, Mustang. Hong Kong's South China Morning Post reported that the signing of the framework agreement is seen as pivotal for Nepal's economic goals.
In recent years, solidarity and cooperation among the "Global South" countries has proven that development is the fundamental truth and the genuine need of the vast majority of "Global South" countries. It is in the face of tangible development achievements that Western smear over China's cooperation with a wide range of developing countries has been effectively dispelled. Take the so-called debt trap frequently mentioned by some in the West for example - there is a growing number of "Global South" nations explicitly rejecting this narrative.
Some Western countries have long used the "debt trap" theory to unfairly label China's cooperation with a vast number of developing countries. This has been ongoing for quite some time. They carried with anxiety and unease, have resorted to sensationalizing a series of old and new concepts, such as the "China threat" and "ecological destruction," to smear and attack China. Among these, the "debt trap" narrative is the most prominent, as if any country engaging in development cooperation with China will inevitably face the so-called "debt trap."
However, such practices of Western countries have been widely questioned by "Global South" countries that are engaged in development cooperation with China, and have also been refuted by solid progress and fruitful results achieved through BRI cooperation. For example, Nepal was one of the first countries to sign cooperation documents with China under the BRI. Even before specific cooperation projects were launched, Nepal was filled with expectations for the prospects of cooperation. Despite attempts by some Western countries and public opinion to obstruct and interfere, the Nepali government has consistently prioritized cooperation with China, particularly the prompt initiation of specific projects under the BRI framework. This is why Prime Minister Oli chose to visit China as soon as he took office and signed a series of cooperation documents with the Chinese side. Not only in Nepal, but in many other countries that have already engaged in practical BRI cooperation with China, the term "debt trap" is increasingly seen as a fabricated phrase. Those who have witnessed the development and cooperation brought by the BRI to participating countries are becoming more aware that the Western hype about the so-called debt trap theory is entirely unfounded and far from reality.
In recent years, the equal and mutually beneficial development cooperation promoted by China has brought increasing economic and social benefits to its partners, and this is increasingly being recognized.
People in relevant countries feel the new changes brought by cooperation with China, as well as the multiple benefits that infrastructure construction has brought to local social life, making their testimonials even more persuasive. In addition to promoting development in various fields, projects like railways and highways also significantly contribute to trade and regional integration, which supports the international community's efforts against regional trade protectionism.
As long as one does not view it through colored glasses, the entire international community will have a more objective and rational understanding on the prospects for deepening development with China.
