Honorable Chief Guest, leaders of Yunnan Province, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries,
His Excellency Ambassadors,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen
Namaste/Zhao Shang Hao/A very good morning

I am immensely pleased to have this opportunity to put forth my views in the 3rd China South Asia Cooperation Forum. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China and the Foreign Affairs Office of Yunnan Province have made incredible efforts for initiating this new platform for exchange of ideas and policy dialogue. I am sure that this forum will be highly beneficial in gathering collective efforts for enhancing cooperation and partnerships between China and South Asia.

Excellencies, Distinguished guests,

The 20th National Congress of the CPC has successfully been concluded and charted a blueprint for implementing Socialism with the Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It has also shed light on President Xi Jinping Thought of shared prosperity and shared responsibility for shared future of mankind. I can see and sense Chinese diplomacy oriented towards implementing and promoting Xi’s philosophy of timeless significance and message.

Excellency, ladies and gentlemen;

Yunnan Province is of utmost importance and strategic significance and a gateway to South and Southeast Asia. It has not only the geographical and climatic proximity but also cultural similarity with the South Asian countries. It bears huge potentials for cooperation in trade, investment, education, cultural and people-to-people exchange. The GDP of Yunnan province in 2021 is 2.71 trillion Yuan, ranked 18th among all 31 provinces in China. Similarly, in 2021, Yunnan's foreign trade import and export volume was 314.38 billion Yuan with export of 176.67 billion Yuan and import of 137.71 billion Yuan. The GDP and trade volume clearly show the significance of enhancing cooperation with Yunnan province. The disposable income of the people is growing year by year. As a result, tourism and cultural cooperation of Yunnan is expanding with South Asia.

Meanwhile I would like to highlight that Nepal and Yunnan have direct flight connection. A lot of Nepali students have been provided with the opportunity to develop their career in the Universities of Yunnan. High number of Chinese people from Yunnan visited Nepal. Kathmandu city of Nepal and Sharngri-la of Yunnan shares the same cultural and social features of Buddhism.

These are only a few examples. There are many more which have not been explored yet. We can discuss and share such opportunities and potentials through this forum.

Excellency, distinguished guests,

I am pleased to see that Yunnan has proactively implemented China’s development strategy and persevered in the diplomatic principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. So let us collaborate together and make concrete efforts for the benefits of the people of the region based on President Xi’s vision of Global Development Initiative.

Being organized with the timely theme of Mutual Assistance for Regional Shared Development, the forum can be pivotal in expanding our ties with China via Yunnan.

With this I conclude my remarks.

Once again, I would like to thank the organizers for providing me with this opportunity. I wish all success of the forum.

Thank you.