The China Study Center (CSC), a non-government friendship organization of Nepal, sets up its new regional chapter Monday in the eastern Biratnagar City of Morang District, some 400 km east of Kathmandu.

 

"The founding of the CSC's Eastern Region Chapter (ERC) is of great importance because Biratnagar is very important in Nepal for its status of industrial area, trade center and the second largest town of the country," Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Sun Heping said at the inaugural function of the ERC.

 

Biratnagar's jute production is famous worldwide, first match factory was born, some government leaders were produced and East-West Highway of Nepal runs through the city, Sun said, adding, " Therefore, there are more opportunities for China-Nepal trade cooperation and will surely bring the entrepreneurs in eastern part of Nepal closer to China."

 

"We have got more people watering the tree of China-Nepal friendship which is taking root and growing healthily in the hearts of the two peoples," Sun said.

 

The ERC of the CSC is another evidence of people-to-people relationship between China and Nepal, Sun said, adding, "This newly founded ERC will play an important role in eastern Nepal to bridge the two countries in disseminating information on both China and Nepal."

 

On the same occasion, Jana Bandhu Karki, chairman of the ERC of the CSC, said the founding of the ERC is a symbol of Nepal's efforts in strengthening the relationship with its "good partner and a growing economic power" -- China.

 

Founded in 2000, the CSC has already set up its branches in Nepal's major cities including eastern Khandbari, central Chitwan and Dhulikhel, western Pokhara, Butwal and Lumbini and mid-western Nepalgunj.

 

The ERC of the CSC has 17 working committee members and a dozen of ordinary members.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 4, 2006)