Nepal-China mechanism to meet on June 2

Kathmandu, May 22

The third meeting of the mechanism on Nepal-China cooperation programmes is scheduled to take place on June 2 this year, informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

The meeting will be co-chaired by the Foreign Secretary of Nepal Amrit Bahadur Rai and Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming.

The two countries had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 21 June 2018 to establish the Mechanism for Facilitation on the Implementation of Nepal-China Cooperation Programmes and Projects in Nepal.

"The meeting will review the progress of projects being implemented with the assistance of the Chinese government, and discuss approaches for their effective implementation," MoFA Spokesperson Lok Bahadur Paudel Ksehtri informed at a press briefing held at the Ministry on Friday.

Likewise, the Ministry is set to launch MoFA Mitra App, developed by the Department of Consular Services to provide legal and consular advice to Nepali citizens abroad, and to assist them in obtaining relief, compensation and insurance payments.

The app will be launched by Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal Tuesday, May 26.

Similarly, Nepal is observing 29 May as International Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest). The day is being observed since 2008, commemorating the first historic successful ascent of Sagarmatha on the same day in 1953. Various programmes will be organised by the Nepali mission abroad and other stakeholders to mark the day.

Meanwhile, Nepal is in the process of ratifying the BIMSTEC Maritime Transport Agreement, signed during the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit.

The pact has been ratified by four member states – Bhutan, India, Myanmar and Thailand – and came into force from 14 May 2026.

"The Ministry of Infrastructure Development is undertaking necessary work to secure ratification of the agreement by the Federal Parliament," informed Kshetri. The agreement applies to vessels and shipping companies flying the national flags of member states, their crews and cargo carried by such vessels.

Meanwhile, Seema Malhotra, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Indo-Pacific at the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), has arrived here on Friday on a three-day visit.

On Friday, she met with FM Khanal and discussed various matters concerning bilateral relations.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 23 May 2026.