Kathmandu: The Chinese embassy in Kathmandu has dismissed recent remarks by Dean Thompson—the new US Ambassador nominee to Nepal—that Nepal endorsed MCC Compact despite a disinformation campaign by China as “true disinformation.”
On July 13, Thompson had given a statement to the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee outlining what he would do if his nomination for Nepal is confirmed.
“If confirmed, I will strive to create an environment that emphasizes the American values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility,” he had said. Commenting on Nepal-US relations, Thompson said the US is at an important juncture in our relationship with Nepal. “Nepal has been referred to as a “yam between two stones,” those stones being China and India. While those countries do have important relationships with Nepal, we also share Nepal’s interest in strengthening its sovereignty and its partnership with the United States,” Thompson said.
Thompson also sharply criticized what he called disinformation against the MCC Compact and blamed China for it. “In February Nepal’s parliament ratified the $500 million Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact in the face of a torrid PRC disinformation campaign.”
Thompson spoke about the rights of the Tibetan refugees in Nepal, something China is averse to hear. “If confirmed, I will also push for the rights of all Nepali citizens and residents. This includes the Dalits, marginalized communities, and refugee communities, including Tibetan refugees.”
The Chinese embassy in Kathmandu has taken strong exception to the ‘disinformation’ remarks by Thompson.
The spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu has said that the remarks of the US side are baseless. “They have not only slandered China, but also offended Nepal and its people. It is a true “disinformation”. China firmly rejects it,” said the statement attributed to the spokesperson.
He further said that the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact between Nepal and the United States sparked heated debates in Nepal. “The Nepali Parliament specially passed an “interpretive declaration”, which declares that the Constitution of Nepal shall prevail over the Compact and other associated agreements and that being a party to the Compact, Nepal shall not be a part of any United States’ strategy, military or security alliance including the Indo-Pacific Strategy.”
China has called it a legitimate action of Nepal.
“These are legitimate actions of the Nepali government and people to defend their sovereignty and independence and safeguard national interests.”
The spokesperson further said that in pursuing international development cooperation, the principle of mutual respect and equality should be upheld and the sovereignty of the country concerned and the will of its people should be fully respected.
“There should be no interference in any country’s domestic affairs, no political strings attached, no coercive diplomacy, and certainly no infringement on other countries’ sovereignty and interests for selfish gains,” he said.
“As Nepal’s friendly close neighbor and development partner, China will continue to support Nepal in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and national interests and support the Nepali people in choosing independently their own development path and offer support and assistance to Nepal’s socio-economic development to the best of its capability,” he further said.
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