Boosting Nepal-China Ties

Nepal and China have enjoyed friendly relations since time immemorial. The bilateral ties have been deepened further with the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two immediate neighbours in 1955. The frequent exchanges of high-level visits have taken the bilateral ties to newer heights.  The bilateral relations between the two countries have been based on friendliness, understanding, mutual support, cooperation and respect for each other’s sensitivities. Both nations have relentless faith in the ideals of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, which include mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in internal affairs, equality and cooperation for mutual benefit and peaceful co-existence. And Nepal has remained committed to her ‘One-China policy’.  Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Narayan Khadka, who was on a three-day official visit to China from August 9 to 11, has also assured his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi of Nepal’s unwavering commitment to the ‘One-China policy’.  

Minister Dr. Khadka paid his visit to the northern neighbour at a  time  when  the Sino-US  tensions got escalated  with the  US  House  Speaker  Nancy  Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. The two countries have agreed to accelerate the implementation of China-assisted projects in Nepal. As agreed between Minister Dr. Khadka and his counterpart Wang, China is soon to begin carrying out construction works of the second phase of Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project. They reached the understanding at a meeting held in Quindao of China on Wednesday. China is also going to conduct the feasibility study of Keyrung-Kathmandu Railway under the grant assistance. Nepal will also get support for pre-feasibility study of Nepal-China cross-border transmission line. Some vital infrastructure projects such as the expansion of Kathmandu Ring Road’s Kalanki-Narayan Gopal Chowk (9.5 km) section, pre-feasibility of Tokha-Chhahare tunnel and cross-border railway have failed to move ahead because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other reasons.

China has continued to prioritise Nepal when it comes to offering assistance. Chinese State Councilor Wang announced to give 800 million RMB (about Rs. 15 billion) to Nepal for the year 2022. China will encourage more Chinese investors to invest in increasing manufacturing capacity of Nepal and enhancing cooperation in the export of Nepali tea and traditional herbs. According to a statement issued by the Embassy of Nepal based in Beijing, the northern neighbour has also agreed to conduct a feasibility study for a chemical fertiliser factory in Nepal. Establishing a joint mechanism for controlling the pandemic in border ports is also part of the agreement.  The  Rasuwa-Kyerung  and Tatopani-Jangmu ports will open soon for two-way trade and  the Hilsa-Pulang  port  for  one  way  trade  once the new wave of the pandemic subsides in the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Similarly, China will provide relief materials worth about Rs. 56.7 million for the disaster-hit people and medical items and logistics worth about Rs. 37.8 million. Besides, Nepal will get additional COVID-19 vaccines and related medical assistance as per the requirement. China will assist Nepal in setting up Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cells (CAR T cells) manufacturing laboratory in Civil Service Hospital to treat blood cancer. The meeting also concluded that the remaining Nepali students who wish to return to China can proceed for visa procedures. Meanwhile, Wang has restated China’s continued and unconditional support to Nepal’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Another noteworthy progress is that Dr. Khadka and Wang expressed their commitment for the timely implementation of the agreements signed and understandings reached during high-level visits in the past. They also agreed to form a bilateral technical committee to make necessary preparation for activating the existing mechanism of Nepal-China Joint Boundary Inspection Committee.