Dean R Thompson, the US nominee for Ambassador attacked China for its disinformation campaign on the USD 500 million American grant in the run-up to its ratification by Nepal’s Parliament in February, reports ANI.

In his opening statement before the Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate on Wednesday, Thompson said: “In February, Nepal’s parliament ratified the USD 500 million Millennium Challenge Corporation compact in the face of a torrid PRC [People’s Republic of China] disinformation campaign.”

Reacting to his remark, the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu said, "It is 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 neighbor and development partner, China will continue to support Nepal in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and national interests and support the 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," read the statement.

China further said: "The remarks of the US side are totally baseless. They have not only slandered China, but also offended Nepal and its people. It is a true “disinformation”. China firmly rejects it."