China visit fruitful: DPM Thapa

Talking to media persons at the Tribhuvan International Airport upon his arrival home on completion of a five-day visit to China, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa said that his visit to the northern neighbour was fruitful.

He added that the visit contributed to strengthening the bilateral ties between the two countries. Moreover, he said, the visit helped prepare long-term framework for economic ties between the two countries, adding that he held discussions with Chinese sides as per the national policy of fuel trade diversification.

DPM Thapa further informed that tax, transport and price for long term fuel trade would be decided after holding discussions by concerned bodies of both countries.
He said that they forged consensus to go ahead after carrying out detailed study with Chinese sides to strengthen economic and trade relations, to promote open and free trade, to augment the transit treaty and increase investment.

The Deputy Prime Minister added that they forged consensus on gradually resuming different nine border points with China and also discussed about the road and air connectivity and infrastructure development as well.

Thapa said that discussions were held with Chinese officials to re-operate the Araniko Highway, prepare the baseline for Nepal-China friendship and operate the Rasuwagadhi-Syafrubesi road around the year.

He said that during the discussion, Nepal also would initiate preliminary works of constructing railway in its territory in the context of China’s plan to expand its railway up to the Nepal-China border.

DPM and Foreign Minister Thapa also said that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s upcoming visit to China would help implement a roadmap prepared for long-term economic development of both Nepal and China, adding that high-level delegation would also visit Nepal in the coming days.

He, however, did not disclose names of the high-level team visiting Nepal in future.

Minister Thapa said that he also met with Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao and high-level officials of Sichuan province, adding that during the discussions, officials of the province expressed their wishes towards investing in hydropower in Nepal.

A nine-member team including Minister Thapa had left for China on Wednesday at the invitation of Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi.