PM terms his China visit as 'successful'

Kathmandu, June 24: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that his visit to China was successful in creating a long-term economic cooperation framework and expanding the collaboration base.

“The bilateral discussions between the two governments and private sector investors, and signing of multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on railway, energy, transportation, infrastructure, investment and tourism will have long-term positive impacts on Nepal’s development and bilateral relations with China,” said PM Oli at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) upon his arrival after concluding his 6-day official visit to China.

Among all the cooperation and investment agreements, the MoU on railway connectivity is of prime importance as it has opened avenues to enhance trans-border connectivity, concluded the PM.

According to him, interaction and discussions with the academia and business community of both the countries have contributed to strengthening people-to-people relations between the two countries.

“I believe that my trip to China has had more achievements than our expectations,” he said.

 During his visit, Nepal and China exchanged 13 agreements and MoUs, including those on energy cooperation, bridge construction, using Tibetan Highway, support in investment and production capacity, human resource, school and heritage reconstruction, river control and economic cooperation.

Likewise, the Prime Minister witnessed the signing of nine agreements between Nepal and China’s public as well as private businesses.

“These agreements will bring in large amounts of Chinese investment,” PM Oli said.

According to him, in order to expedite the agreement on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), both  sides have agreed to enhance cooperation on railway, road, air and communication connectivity under the framework of the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network.

“China has agreed to conduct the pre-feasibility study for the development of the Keyrung-Rasuwagadhi-Kathmandu railway with Chinese grant, and the project will move ahead at the earliest. It will also create a base for the Kathmandu-Pokhara-Lumbini Railway,” he said.

Both the countries also agreed to expand north-south road connectivity. China has agreed to conduct additional study for the development of the Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali economic corridor.

Similarly, airlines of both the countries can conduct direct flights between Nepal and China.

Likewise, Nepal Electricity Authority and Chinese State Grid Corporation signed an agreement to conduct feasibility study of the Keyrung-Rasuwagadhi-Galchhi-Ratmate 400 KV transmission line.

The two neighbours have agreed to operate the Tatopani-Khasa border point from May 2019, upgrade the Syaphrubeshi road and construct a bridge at Hilsa.

China has also agreed to provide support to explore oil and natural gas in Nepal, construct petroleum storage facility and provide economic and technological support for post-harvest technology.

Oli said that China was positive regarding Nepal’s proposal to establish a Nepali Consulate in Chhengdu, to support Nepal in promoting the Visit Nepal Year 2020.

Signed agreements and MoUs:

1.     Agreement on energy cooperation

2.     Agreement on reconstruction of Miteri and Rasuwa bridges

3.     Protocol to use Tibetan Highway for transportation of goods

4.     Agreement on economic and technical support

5.     MoU on investment and productivity support

6.     MoU on facilitating programmes under Nepal-China Cooperation

7.     MoU on enhancing cooperation between the foreign ministries of the two countries

8.     MoU on human resource cooperation

9.     MoU on river control project in Jhapa

10.  Exchange of letters for the reconstruction of Nuwakot Palace

11.  Exchange of letters for the reconstruction of schools in Rasuwa, Dolakha and Sindhupalchowk

PPublished in The Rising Nepal daily on June 25, 2018.