KATHMANDU, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Experts on Friday urged the Nepalese leadership to ensure Nepal's participation in the China-proposed Belt and Road initiative by signing a cooperation agreement with the Chinese government as early as possible.
Speaking at a one-day conference on the initiative, participants talked about shared benefits to Nepal and China and South Asia through building the Belt and Road based on mutual consultation and collaboration.
The government should not delay its participation in the Belt and Road initiative, Nepal's former ambassador to Russia Hiranya Lal Shrestha said.
It is high time for the Nepalese leadership to seriously think and make a decision, he said.
Highlighting various aspects of the Belt and Road initiative, Executive Director of the Kathmandu School of Law Yubaraj Sangroula said that Nepal will be the largest beneficiary of the initiative if it signs the cooperation agreement with China.
Acting Chairman of China Study Center Sundarnath Bhattarai said that Nepal's participation in the initiative will bring immense opportunities for Nepal.
Delivering remarks as a special guest of the conference, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong said that China hopes Nepal would become a member of the Belt and Road initiative soon.
The ambassador said that as many as 100 countries have expressed their intentions to support and contribute to the Belt and Road initiative while over 50 countries and international organizations have signed cooperation agreements with China for jointly building the Belt and Road.
The initiative, proposed by China in 2013, aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes.
