Eight agreements Nepal and China are set to ink during Oli’s visit

KATHMANDU, June 15: Nepal and China will sign over eight agreements during Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli’s China visit. Oli is scheduled to embark on a five-day state visit to China on June 19 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in Nepal, the two sides will sign at least eight agreements during Oli’s China visit, while a few others are currently under discussion. Of the finalized eight agreements, five agreements include at the governmental level and three private sector.

The visit will be focused on implementation of bilateral agreements signed between the two countries during Prime Minister Oli’s China visit during his first premiership.

According to MoFA, Nepal and China are set to sign different Memorandum of Understanding regarding opening eight border points along the northern border that will allow Nepal to access Tibetain highway, especially during the rainy season. These border points include, Hilsa, Rasuwagadhi, Riyu Tiptala Pass, Tinker (Darchula), Urahi Pass (Bajhang) and Pulana Hilsa.

Nepal and China will also sign a MoU on Kerung-Kathmandu cross-country railway service– the agreement which was reached between Kathmandu and Bejing Oli’s first visit to China in March 2016.

Likewise, Nepal and China are also set ink seperate agreement to build two international-level friendship bridges in Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi.

Similarly, MoU on cooperation between finance ministries of Nepal and China, energy cooperation and cross-border transmission line construction, agricultural partnership and construction of disaster management and rescue center in all seven provinces of Nepal will also be signed.

Agreements would be struck on 16 billion Yuan Chinese government promised in assistance for the post-quake reconstructions following the earthquake of April, 2015, other national welfare projects like 1,000 megawatts Manang-Marsyangdi Hydropower (between Nepalese and Chinese private sectors Butwal Power Company and Sichuan Provincial Investment Group), the use of dry port and the laying of optical fiber for smooth supply of information and communications.

In a regular press meet organized by MoFA, Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali on Thursday briefed about his recent Mongolia visit, latest development in international and regional diplomatic spectrum, contemporary issues and Prime Minister Oli’s upcoming China visit schedule.

He also added that bilateral talks on trade and transit, free trade among other issues were in progress and will reach conclusion very soon.

Minister Gyawali also shared that the discussions on belt and road initiatives, investment modality on it was under discussions and the projects would be forwarded by keeping national interest in center.

It is shared that Chinese assistance on development projects in Nepal is almost confirmed to materialize the journey of prosperity. Prime Minister Oli will hold political consultation with high-level political leadership of China during his visit and it is believed that the high-level talks would take the friendly-relations between Nepal and China to a new height.