Nepal, China sign protocols – ‘Nepal can use seven Chinese sea and land ports for third-country import export
By Ramesh Tiwari –
Kathmandu: Nepal and China signed the Protocol on Implementing Agreement on Transit and Transport and six other agreements after delegation level talks between visiting President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on April 29.
As per the agreement , Nepal can use four Chinese sea ports in Tianjin, Shenzhen, Lianyungang and Zhanjiang and three land ports in Lanzhou, Lhasa and Shigatse for third-country import and export. The protocol allows Nepal to use all three kinds of services- inland, road and rail in China.
At present, only two Nepali entry points Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani are being used for trade with China.
Two separate mechanisms will be formed to enforce the protocol and resolve technical difficulties to implement the protocol.
The 7 bilateral agreements signed between the two countries are -Protocol to the Agreement on Transit Transport ; Handover Certificate of Grant-Aid for the Repair and Reinforcement Project of the Existing China-aided Projects ; Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters ; Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation on Standardization ; Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation ;Minutes of Meeting on Strengthening Assistance Cooperation in the Field of Livelihood in the Northern Region of Nepal and Agreement on Preventing Theft, Clandestine Excavation and Illicit Export Import of Cultural Property .
China will provide Nepal a grant assistance of RMB 1 billion for the implementation of mutually agreed projects in the fields of livelihood improvement, post-disaster reconstruction and infrastructure under the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation, according to a statement issued by Ministry of Foreign affairs.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Gyawali and Chinese Transport Minister Li Xiaopeng signed the agreement in the presence of the two Heads of State in Beijing on April 29.
China highly values the development of bilateral relations, and supports Nepal’s efforts in safeguarding national independence, sovereign and territorial integrity, and in exploring a development path suited to Nepal’s own conditions, Chinese President Xi Jinping said during talks with visiting Nepalese President in Beijing, Xinhua reports.
President Xi expressed appreciation for Nepal’s long-time firm support on issues related to China’s core interests and major concerns, and Nepal’s active participation in the Belt and Road Initiative.
China and Nepal should strengthen cooperation in infrastructure construction, and continue to advance the construction of cross-border economic cooperation zone, Xi said, adding that China is willing to continue to support Nepal’s economic and social development.
Xi called on the two countries to intensify exchanges among legislative institutions, political parties, youth, think tanks and media, consolidate public support for China-Nepal friendship, and advance the friendly cooperative relations to a new level, according to Xinhua.
Bhandari said that China’s prosperity and stability present opportunities to Nepal, and her country is willing to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with China in various fields.
Nepal adheres to the one-China policy, and that Nepal will not allow any forces to engage in anti-China activities by using the territory of Nepal, she said.
April 29, 2019
Image: China’s President Xi Jinping attends a meeting with Nepal’s President Bidya Devi Bhandari at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on April 29, 2019. Photo: Reuters
