Pokhara International Airport is pictured in Pokhara, Nepal, Dec. 31, 2022. As Pokhara International Airport, a national pride project of Nepal, was inaugurated on Sunday, Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal laid emphasis on its contribution to national and regional development. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

Since the inauguration of the Pokhara International Airport, which was built by a Chinese enterprise, all facilities have been operating smoothly, playing an active role in improving Nepal’s domestic and international air connectivity, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press briefing on Tuesday. 

In responding to a question about Nepal’s reported investigation into the construction of the Pokhara International Airport by a Chinese company, Mao said that she was not aware of the reported internal review in Nepal, but what the reporter mentioned was “inconsistent with facts.” 

“The Chinese government always asks our companies to strictly abide by laws and regulations in doing business overseas. Pokhara International Airport is an important infrastructure project in China-Nepal cooperation and hailed in Nepal as a project of national honor,” Mao said. 

“According to my knowledge, Chinese companies took into full consideration the local situation, followed the quality standards strictly during the design and construction, and kept complete records,” the spokesperson said. 

According to media reports, the construction of the airport was undertaken by China CAMC Engineering Co, with construction commencing in July 2017. On January 1 of this year, it officially began operations. As the third international airport in Nepal, it serves as a prominent symbol of the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative between China and Nepal, and the Nepali government has also recognized it as a “national pride project.” 

On June 21, a charter flight operated by China’s Sichuan Airlines landed at the airport, which marked the first international flight received by the airport since formally entering operations, media reports said.