25. Nov 2009
Chinese aid to Nepal
(Kathmandu Post; Himalayan Times; PTI) A 10-member high level Chinese delegation led by Hao Peng, executive deputy director of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) took part in what was labelled a courtesy visit and held talks with Nepal's Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal as well as various top Nepali government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sujata Koirala and Home Minister Bhim Bahadur Rawal.
The talks were focused on the relations between TAR and Nepal, and Hao expressed his concerns about Nepal's stumbling peace process and "China's internal security matters".
 China has pledged a range of financial assistance to Nepal, including military aid worth IRs100 million (UK£1.3m; US$2.1m; EUR€1.4m) for the supply of "non-lethal" security equipment and training for the Nepalese Army. China will also provide Nepal about IRs20 million (UK£263,000; US$433,00; EUR€291,000) to rebuild its consulate in Lhasa and increased its annual aid to the empoverished Himalayan country from IRs1,100 million (UK£14.4m; US$23.8m; EUR€16m) to IRs1,600 million (UK£21m; US$34.6m; EUR€23.3m). Additionally, China will supply IRs30.6 million (UK£402,000; US$662,000; EUR€446,000) in food aid.