Nepal-China bilateral meeting and agreements

Kathmandu - Nepal and China held official meeting in Kathmandu on Tuesday. During the meeting Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development, Bijay Kumar Gachhadar, and visiting Vice-Premier of the State Council of China, Wang Yang, led the Nepali and Chinese delegation respectively, said a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Both sides reviewed entire gamut of bilateral relations and cooperation. DPM Gachchhadar reiterated Nepal's One China Policy including the principled position of not allowing its territory to be used against the neighbours.

Both sides laid emphasis on the importance of exchanging high level visits in further strengthening the existing bilateral relations. 

While expressing condolences and sympathies to the victims of recent natural disasters in Nepal, the visiting Vice-Premier announced the cash amount of one million US dollars as a humanitarian assistance from China to Nepal. 

Appreciating the continuous assistance provided by the China for socio-economic development of Nepal, the DPM expressed happiness that the bilateral cooperation between the two countries has been expanding in recent time to cover various important aspects. 

Both sides held substantive discussions on further enhancing bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, tourism, investment, infrastructure development, energy, cross-border connectivity and people-to-people relations. 

Nepal's tourism to be promoted in China 

In the context of the China's announcement of 2017 as Nepal Tourism Promotion Year in China, both sides agreed for joint cooperation and collaboration in promoting Nepal’s tourism in China. 

Both sides agreed to enhance the functions and facilities at Nepal-China border ports. In the context of bilateral agreement signed today on utilization of reconstruction grant of the Chinese Government in the restoration of border bridges and Tatopani port, Nepali side reiterated its request to the Chinese side for early opening of the Tatopani-Zhangmu border port. 
The two sides agreed to hold regular meetings of established bilateral mechanisms including the Joint Economic and Trade Committee. 

Included in the Nepali delegation were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Ministers of Health; Finance; Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation; Physical Infrastructure and Transport; Commerce; Ambassador of Nepal to China; Secretaries of different ministries and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal. 

Similarly, the Chinese delegation comprised Deputy Secretary General of the State Council; Vice Ministers of the National Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Commerce; Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs; Chinese Ambassador to Nepal; senior officials of the State Council and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. 

The meeting was followed by the signing of bilateral agreements on economic cooperation. DPM Gachhadar and DPM and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mahara from the Nepali side and Vice Premier Yang and Ambassador of China to Nepal Hong from the Chinese side witnessed the signing of the agreements. 

Secretary at Ministry of Finance, Dr. Shanta Raj Subedi, and Vice Minister and Deputy International Trade Representative of China's Ministry of Commerce Yu Jianhua, signed the agreements on behalf of their respective governments. The agreements comprised an Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation, Framework Agreement on Promotion of Investment and Economic Cooperation, and Letters of Exchange for Oil and Gas Resources Exploration in Nepal. 

Basantapur Durbar restoration project commenced 

Earlier this morning, the Vice-Premier and the DPM and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mahara jointly commenced the nine-storied Bashantapur Durbar Restoration Project at Kathmandu Durbar Square, added the press release. 

Mr Yang had arrived in Kathmandu on Monday evening.