‘Chinese rail line to Nepal most significant initiative in history of bilateral relations’
Nepal and China have agreed to execute projects under the Belt and Road Initiative to enhance connectivity that encompasses ports, roads, railways, aviation and communications within the overarching framework of trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network.
Issuing a joint statement during the visit of Prime Minister K P Oli that is undergoing in China now, the two sides also agreed to take practical measures to promote cooperation in all fields contained in the MOUs that included conducting feasibility study of Kerung-Kathmandu railway, reconstruction of two friendship fridges, protocol on the utilization of Tibetan highways for cargo transport and MoU on Investment and Cooperation on Production Capacity.
On railway pact, the joint statement says, “They underscored it as the most significant initiative in the history of bilateral cooperation and believed that it would herald a new era of cross-border connectivity between the two countries. Both sides agreed to make good use of the long-term communication mechanism on railway cooperation between government departments and promote railway cooperation. The Chinese side agreed to provide such support as in technology and personnel training.” Other pacts reached during the visit were establishing of Mechanism for Facilitation on the Implementation of China-Nepal Cooperation Programmes and Projects in Nepal between the two Foreign Ministries; MOU on strengthening cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries; MOU on Energy Cooperation; Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation; and MOU on Human Resource Development Cooperation.