KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 23

Spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hua Chunying wondered if the Millennium Challenge Corporation compact was a Pandora’s box.

When asked to comment on the recent press release in which the US Embassy in Nepal stated that the $500-million project was a gift from American people, Hua said, “I noticed that a US State Department spokesperson said earlier that Nepal’s failure to ratify the MCC compact will affect bilateral ties. The US Embassy in Nepal described the $500 million MCC grant as a gift from the American people to Nepalis. Since when does a gift come with an ultimatum? How can anyone accept such a gift? Is it a gift or Pandora’s box? I’m afraid it will turn out like a Nepali saying: It looks good, but you will find the meat difficult to chew.”

Hua said it was China’s consistent belief that in pursuing international development cooperation, the principle of mutual respect and equality should be upheld, the sovereignty of the country concerned and the will of its people should be fully respected, and there should be no interference in any country’s domestic affairs, no political strings attached, no coercive diplomacy, and certainly no infringement on other countries’ sovereignty and interests for selfish gains.

“As Nepal’s friendly close neighbour and development partner, China will continue to support Nepali people in choosing independently their own development path and offer support and assistance to Nepal’s socioeconomic development to the best of its capability,” she added.

This is the second time in a week that the Chinese foreign ministry has commented on the MCC compact, expressing its displeasure at the US.

A version of this article appears in the print on February 24, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.