King Gyanendra and Queen Komal are returning home this afternoon upon completing their state visit to the Peoples’ Republic of China at the friendly invitation of Chinese President Jiang Zemin.

Their Majesties had left for China on July 9. Princess Prerana who accompanied Their Majesties on the visit is also returning home today.

The King said that Nepal attaches great importance to both here immediate neighbours, and its relations with them both are very sound and very close.

“We are very satisfied with the state of our relations with both our neighbours, the relations are unique because of our proximity and closeness,” King Gyanendra said in an interview to Chinese Television (CCTV). The King said these relations can be further strengthened and this is one of the reasons of my visiting my neighbours first, adding that this state of happy relationship is existing because of the sober, mutual and wise decisions of the leaders of our neighbours.

“Wisdom has prevailed from both our neigbours in the conduct of our relationship. We wish to see that continue, we also wish to respect that and we also wish neighbours to understand that we would also reciprocate the same feeling,” the King said.

The King observed that it is the private sector that generates and invigorates closeness. It is the people to people contact that becomes eventually the important thing. And I believe there is lot of scope for private, joint venture activities. China is rich in and has a lot of experience in this and Nepal would like to benefit from its experience, the King said.

He said the Nepalese are willing to learn, and they are willing to participate vigorously, if need be, with China in these potential areas. Joint venture activities must take place so that economic activities flourish.

“It is up to us and future generations to understand and tap the potential that is there. Let me talk about northern Nepal, which borders China. The potential over there is immense from the point of view of culture, tourism, infrastructure and hydropower. These potentials are all there. Now it is up to our people to understand this and be able to make something good out of it, the King said. (video on the interview is online on the top left of the Nepalnews main page)  nepalnews.com am July 18