By Our Correspondent
Lumbini, Oct. 2: Chief of Lumbini Province Amik Sherchan has said that Buddhism philosophy and religion have brought Nepal and China closer and both countries should move ahead by making the existing friendly relationship stronger and more sustainable.
Addressing an interaction organised to mark the 72nd National Day of China Friday, Province Chief Shrechan extended his good wishes to the Chinese President and people and added that the relationship between the two countries should be consolidated at the people-to-people level, apart from the governments level which would benefit the people of both nations. The interaction was organised by the Nepal-China Friendship Society, Lumbini.

Lumbini Development Trust Deputy Chairman Awadesh Kumar Tripathi stated that Nepal and China could benefit a lot if Buddhist philosophy and principles could be integrated into Nepal's foreign policy.
At the function, the chairperson of the Nepal-China Friendship Society, Lumbini, Narayan Prasad Sapkota, said the current competent leadership had led China towards becoming an industrial nation and an economic power. "If we could follow China's experiences, Nepal could see the end of poverty and backwardness," Sapkota added.

"Owing to the competence and strong leadership of President Xi Jinping, about 760 million people have been lifted out of poverty.
As a result, there is no poverty in China at present," Chair Sapkota said, adding Nepal should follow the China model to expedite the economic development to initiate the economic development of the country.
The vice-chancellor of the Buddha University, Dr Hridaya Ratna Bajracharya, Registrar Dr. Tilak Acharya, Professor Dr. Gitu Acharya, All Nepal Bhikshu Association Chairperson Bhikshu Maitreya and the Society's Vice Chair Govinda Regmi expressed views on the strong relationship between Nepal and China.

To mark China's National Day that falls on October 1 every year, the Society distributed food items to 300 poor families. Sherchan initiated the food distribution programme in which each poor family received 25 kgs of rice, 5 kgs of flour, two kgs of lentils, two litres of cooking oil, and several packets of soap and salt.