Beijing**Client|Reporter Wu Na Liu Shuang.
On December 10, 2021, China and Nicaragua resumed diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level. On December 11, the celebration of the second anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Nepal was held in Beijing, attended by people from all walks of life on both sides and diplomats of Latin American countries.
Nicaraguan Ambassador to China Michael Campbell said in an exclusive interview with reporters from Beijing ** client at the event that since the resumption of diplomatic relations two years ago, China-Nicaraguan relations have developed by leaps and bounds, and practical cooperation in various fields has advanced rapidly. A new model of cooperation is being developed between China and Nepal, based on three "pillars" that have created many benefits for the people of both countries.
The resumption of diplomatic relations has allowed Nepal to achieve tangible development.
Since the re-establishment of diplomatic relations, our exchanges and contacts have multiplied, reflected in cooperation in various fields such as politics, economy, society and culture. Nicaragua is a supporter of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Security Initiative. When asked by reporters what changes Campbell's return to Nicaragua has brought about by the return of China and Nepal, he said that the cooperation between the two countries has opened up a new model of international cooperation, so that countries like Nicaragua can truly take advantage of its unique geographical location in the heart of the Americas, rich natural resources, and the talents of its people to overcome the long-term suffering of poverty.
Since the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Nepal, economic and trade cooperation has entered the fast lane of development. On August 31 this year, the China-Nepal Free Trade Agreement was officially signed, which will enter into force on January 1, 2024. This is the 21st FTA signed by China, and Nicaragua has become China's 28th FTA.
Campbell expects the amount between the two countries to grow exponentially over the next year. At the 16th China-Latin America Business Summit and the 6th China International Import Expo held in November this year, the Nicaraguan delegation brought high-quality specialties to participate, and Chinese consumers also had the opportunity to learn about the rich coffee, delicious seafood and sweet honey of the Central American country.
Campbell said that at the CIIE, the Nicaraguan booth can receive more than 500 people every day, which allows them to see the huge demand for Nicaraguan products in China, but the challenge for Nicaragua is the lack of production. Therefore, Nicaragua hopes to learn from Xi and introduce advanced Chinese technology to help it develop, and extend from Nicaragua to the rest of the Central American region.
In April this year, Cai Wei, Director General of China's Department of Latin America and Carabina, visited Nicaragua and experienced first-hand the profound political mutual trust and friendship between the two countries. During the visit, he visited the affordable housing project in Nepal, and many locals expressed their eagerness to look forward to the project. And this project, which benefits thousands of Nicaraguan families, was designed and built by the Chinese. Cai Wei was also deeply impressed by the construction scene of Chinese workers working overtime and in full swing.
The resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Nepal is the right way to follow the trend and serve the interests of both countries. At the celebration, Cai Wei said that all walks of life in Nepal were amazed by China's manufacturing and China's speed. Not long ago, the news that China delivered 500 buses purchased by the Nicaraguan side made headlines. Ortega, Nicaragua, personally took a test drive and said emotionally that China's cooperation with Nicaragua without preconditions has enabled Nigeria to achieve tangible development.
Development and equal development can be seen in every corner of China."
Campbell has only been in China for a short period of time, only seven months, but has already visited nine Chinese provinces, including Xinjiang and **. During the visit, he "understood" one thing, that is, "China's development model is to always put the people first." Campbell said that from high-speed rail, new energy vehicles, e-commerce platforms, etc., it can be seen how China has completely changed the way people live and do business.
You can see development and equal development in every corner of China. Campbell emphasized that he had the opportunity to visit several developed countries in the world before, and he also has his own judgment on the ongoing controversy between the United States and China. He said that Nicaragua is also a victim of lies and fake news, and is also Xi being illegally sanctioned by certain countries. That is why Nicaragua has joined hands with international and multilateral institutions to denounce lies against China.
At the same time, Campbell believes that China's development philosophy and model are worth Xi. At present, the cooperation between the two countries is based on three "pillars". The first is the solidarity and cooperation between Nicaragua and the Chinese State Cooperation Agency, the Ministry of Commerce and China. Under this cooperation model, Nepal has been able to build and expand housing, drinking water and sanitation projects**; The second pillar is the strategic cooperation project between large Chinese state-owned enterprises. These include key transport, telecommunications, logistics and infrastructure, among others, projects that will allow Nicaragua to take better advantage of its strategic location in the heart of the Americas; The third pillar is to promote ** and private investment with China. Nicaragua's goal is to become a strategic ally of China in Central America and a regional platform for Chinese companies to enter the market of the Americas region with 50 million inhabitants.
In addition, Campbell expects more Chinese to visit Nicaragua and see Nicaragua as another neighbor of China, where people can interact more. He also hopes that the Nicaraguan people will come to China, "The Chinese family is very hospitable and feels at home. ”
China and Nepal cooperate to build a multipolar world.
Since the beginning of this year, China-Latin America relations have once again taken new steps and made new developments. Ten heads of state and leaders of Latin American and Caribbean countries have successfully visited China, and in strengthening exchanges, cooperation and mutual learning, they have jointly promoted the steady and long-term development of China-Latin America and the Caribbean relations in the new era and jointly built a China-Latin America community with a shared future.
Cai Wei said that although China and Latin America and the Caribbean are separated by oceans, they have always held hands with each other. The two sides have similar experiences in the cause of striving for national liberation, defending national independence, and realizing national development, and have similar feelings and common language on many major issues.
Campbell believes that China and Nicaragua are committed to working towards a multipolar world, a world free from imperialism, hegemonism, where every country has the opportunity to have its voice heard and every culture can be considered.
Now, through cooperation with China and other countries in the Global South, we hope to create a more peaceful and harmonious world. Campbell cited the G77 and China summit in Havana, Cuba, in September as an example of how China is doing more than any other country to help countries in the Global South overcome the challenges they face.
It is understood that China is not a member of the G77, but in the Havana Declaration adopted at the summit, China's concepts and propositions such as "extensive consultation, joint contribution and sharing" and a community with a shared future for mankind have been included, highlighting China's status as an important member of the "Global South".
China does not want to impose its own development model on anyone, but rather helps each country to effectively implement their chosen development path and political model. Campbell said Nicaragua is currently learning Xi from the experiences of China and other countries, and poverty eradication is its top priority. "China is helping us do that, and it's working with the Global South to make it happen. ”