Published by: World Tibet Network News Monday, November 10, 1997

Xinhua is the oficial news agency of the PRC

KATHMANDU (Nov. 11) XINHUA - Nepali Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa said here today that Tibet is an autonomous region of China, and Nepal is strongly opposed to using its territory for activities against China, in particular unfriendly activities for splitting Tibet from China.

All political parties in Nepal hold this view on Tibet issue, Thapa said when meeting a Chinese delegation led by Chen Muhua, vice chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China.

Thapa said Nepal and China are friendly neighbors with no contradictions and problems existing between them, and the ties between them are old and solid.

He stressed that Nepal's policy towards China is clear-cut, Nepal is strongly opposed to creating two Chinas.

Chen Muhua expressed her appreciation over Nepal's stand on Tibet, saying that the Chinese government hopes to get continued support from Nepal on this issue.

Chen said China is also grateful that Nepal resisted pressure from some Western countries and supported China on the human rights issue.

She said last year King Birendra and President Jiang Zemin exchanged visits, opening a new vista for developing new relations between the two countries.

Chen and her delegation arrived here Monday for a five-day official goodwill visit at the invitation of Nepali parliament.