China has strongly objected the forcefulness on US-Nepal MCC pact.
Issuing a press note today from Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry has stated that China opposes “coercive diplomacy” played against Nepal in recent days.
The ministry has further said, “China welcomes the international community to contribute to Nepal’s development and livelihood improvement, but this should be done based on Nepalese people’s willingness without political conditions.”
Recently, US Assistant Secretary for South Asia Donald Lu was reportedly called Nepali political leaders and threatened withdrawing the MCC support if it was not approved from the parliament on the stipulated timeframe. And, he also indicated that foreign forces were behind the objection of MCC in Nepal. However, the US Ambassador to Nepal, Randy Berry, has clarified that there was no such conversations from US officials.
China Foreign Ministry Tweet: China welcomes the intl community to contribute to Nepal’s devt and livelihood improvement, but this should be done based on Nepalese people’s willingness without political conditions, Chinese FM said on the US-Nepal MCC pact, noting that China opposes “coercive diplomacy.”
Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Nepal, Randy Berry, today said that the US is a strong supporter of free speech and public discourse based in fact, including on MCC. He further said that violence and incitement to violence are never acceptable.
Ambassador Berry Tweet: “We are a strong supporter of free speech & public discourse based in fact, including on MCC. The right to express one’s views is intrinsic to democracy, and people must be allowed to peacefully share their views. Violence & incitement to violence are never acceptable.”
