China and Nepal to seal 9 point agreement

Chinese State Councilor and Minister for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi who is in official three days visit to Nepal to met with Nepali Foreign Minister Dr Narayan Khadka about the overall aspects of Nepal-China relations.

During the meeting recently held at the office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, all aspects of mutual interest and common concern have  been discussed as per the ministry.

Minister Khadka during the meeting expressed gratitude on behalf of the Government of Nepal for various important help offered by the China including invaluable support during the COVID-19 pandemic. While, discussing national, regional and international issues minister Khadka reiterated Nepal's unwavering commitment to the one-China policy.  The Foreign Minister drew the attention of the Chinese counterpart about the negative impact on the country's economy due to the non-operation of border points since Nepal has not been able to increase its exports to China.

It is to be noted that the Chinese side have been reluctant to fully operate the two major border port at Tatopani and at Rasuwa for the last few years.

After the meeting between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries, bilateral delegation level talks have started. The 25-member delegation led by Foreign Minister Khadka includes Foreign Affairs, Finance, Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Home, Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Agriculture and Livestock Development, Industry and Commerce and Supplies, Land Management Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Health and Population. High officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs including the Secretary of the Ministry are participating.

The 17-member delegation, led by Foreign Minister Wang, includes Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hu Yanchi, Chinese Foreign Ministry Joint Secretary Wu Jingwao, Commerce Ministry Joint Secretary Sheng Kuping, Foreign Ministry's Director General of the Department of Asian Affairs Liu Jensong, Deputy Director General Song Jia and Foreign Minister Yang's Secretary Deng Zhei.

After the talks, authorities have made plans to sign nine point Memorandums of Understanding between the two countries. The MoU will be signed on financial and technical assistance, feasibility study of transmission line, and agreement to allow Chinese health workers to provide services in Nepal. Similarly, MoU is expected to be signed for the transportation of vaccines and maintenance and the transfer of upgraded Araniko highway and export of Nepali grass to China.

Foreign Minister Yi is scheduled to hand over the symbolic key of Pokhara Regional International Airport to the Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba after paying him courtesy call at PM’s official residence in Baluwatar.