Kathmandu (kathmandu). Nepal’s Deputy Prime Minister Narayan Kazi Shrestha has talked about his relations with China. He said on Sunday that China is positive to provide more development assistance to Nepal. He said that during the visit, he had extensive discussions with the Chinese leaders on strengthening bilateral ties, promoting trade, investment and economic development.
Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha, who returned from China after a five-day visit on Sunday, said that China is interested in the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). He said that since the agreement on BRI was signed in 2017, its implementation process would be finalized by working out a modus operandi.
Narayan Shrestha said that they have discussed opening more trade channels with China. He said that China is positive about facilitating movement on the Nepal-China border. China closed its borders with Nepal following the COVID-19 pandemic. Rasuva and Tatopani crossings were opened from 2023, but other crossings were not opened. The crossings are opened only for the transport of goods.
Shrestha said that he thanked the Chinese government for its vital assistance to Nepal during times of crisis such as the earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic. Also said during the meeting, the Nepal side asked China to add Chengdu-Kathmandu flights and start commercial flights from Chengdu to Nepal’s Pokhara and Bhairahawa International Airports. He said that we have requested them to run Chengdu-Kathmandu flight daily. He was positive on this matter. We have also asked them to start Chengdu-Pokhra and Chengdu-Bhairhwa direct commercial flights.
China also mentioned WeChat crossborder payment service as part of BRI
China unilaterally declared Nepal’s Pokhara International Airport as part of its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project. Now it has listed WeChat crossborder payment service as part of BRI. Nepali diplomats are surprised by this.
According to the report of the Kathmandu Post, China has been unilaterally listing one project after another in the BRI. This has created confusion among Nepalese diplomats. It has been told in the report that China had made such an announcement for the first time when Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda inaugurated the new airport.
Not a single BRI project has been implemented in the country – Foreign Minister
The situation was clarified by Foreign Minister NP Saud on Monday in the House of Representatives of the Nepali Parliament. He said, the implementation of projects under BRI is currently at the negotiation stage between Nepal and China. Not even a single project under BRI has been implemented in Nepal. BRI projects are under consideration.
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