September 26: Nepal and China have issued a joint statement during the ongoing visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to China. The joint statement issued on Tuesday states that the Chinese side is ready to help Nepal train railway professionals.    

The two sides expressed satisfaction over the progress of the feasibility study of the Jilong/Keyrung-Kathmandu Cross-Border Railway, and planned to hold the 8th Working Meeting on China-Nepal Railway Cooperation as early as possible.

Acknowledging the signing of the MoU between the Government of Nepal and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on bilateral cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative on 12 May 2017, both the countries expressed their commitment to accelerate the consultations to finalize the text on the BRI Implementation Plan at an early date. They expressed readiness to exchange experiences on their development strategies, deepen practical cooperation in such fields as infrastructure connectivity, trade, tourism, production capacity and investment, and further deepen and solidify Belt and Road cooperation to deliver greater benefits to their peoples.

Likewise, the Chinese side also expressed its commitment to extend its support to improve the facilities on the Nepali side of the Lizi-Nechung port at the earliest possible date. The Chinese side agreed to work for the early reopening of eligible traditional China-Nepal border trade points. The two sides also agreed to maintain communication for the opening of Chentang-Kimathanka, Riwu-Olangchungola ports at an early date.  

Considering the needs of Nepal, China has agreed to carry out the fourth phase of the Araniko highway maintenance project and to quickly carry out the Syafrubesi-Rasuwagadhi highway maintenance work, mentions the joint statement.

Similarly, China has agreed to speed up the feasibility study of the Tokha-Chhare tunnel project and the second phase of the Kathmandu Ring Road project.

In order to transform Nepal from a landlocked country to a land-linked country, both sides have agreed to continue the implementation of the documents signed in the past regarding China's transportation and highway use.

Nepal and China welcomed the consensus reached between the civil aviation authorities of the two countries on expanding the air rights arrangements, and expressed satisfaction over the completion and operation of the Pokhara International Airport.

“The two sides support and encourage their airlines to resume and open more flights and air routes, including ones connecting Pokhara, in accordance with bilateral air rights arrangements and in light of market needs, so as to facilitate trade and economic interactions and people-to-people exchanges,” reads the statement.