Kathmandu, Nov 8: Wang Junzheng, the Chinese Communist Party’s Secretary of Tibet Autonomous Region, is set to embark on a five-day official visit to Nepal, commencing Wednesday. Wang, considered a key official within the Chinese government, is anticipated to engage in discussions with the Prime Minister concerning the implementation of agreements related to the Tibet region during his visit.
A delegation comprised of officials from various agencies responsible for Nepal-Tibet affairs will accompany Wang during his visit. The schedule includes high-level political meetings in Kathmandu, marking the first significant visit from China following Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda’s trip to China. Additionally, Wang is scheduled to visit Pokhara.
As per the itinerary, Wang will hold a courtesy meeting with Vice President Ramsahay Yadav at 2 pm on Wednesday. On Thursday, at 8 am, he will meet with Prime Minister Prachanda and later at 11 am with Federal Affairs and General Administration Minister Anita Devi.
Dr. Rupak Sapkota, Prime Minister Prachanda’s foreign affairs advisor, disclosed that discussions with the visiting Chinese delegation would center around the implementation of agreements pertaining to the Tibet region, reached during the Prime Minister’s recent visit to China. Sapkota emphasized the significance of the Tibet Autonomous Region’s proximity to Nepal and the shared border, underscoring its importance in Nepal’s foreign affairs strategy.
Notably, during the Prime Minister’s visit to Tibet in September, he engaged in discussions with Tibetan Secretary Wang. An agreement was reached to gradually open checkpoints between Nepal and China, including the traditional border, by managing the necessary infrastructure. As a result, border crossings have commenced, with Mustang’s Korla crossing set to open on November 13.
Foreign officials have described Wang as a Chinese leader with a positive attitude toward Nepal. Sapkota, who participated in the meeting in Lhasa, noted, “He spoke very warmly and favorably about the relationship with Nepal during his meeting with the Prime Minister.”
On Thursday at 4 pm, Chinese leader Wang is scheduled to have a courtesy meeting with National Assembly Speaker Timilsina. President Timilsina will host a dinner in honor of Tibet Party Secretary Wang.
Wang’s visit to Pokhara, the capital of Gandaki province, on November 10 will include a meeting with Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, Surendra Pandey, who will also host a dinner in his honor that evening. During his stay in Pokhara, Wang will oversee the China-Nepal cultural exchange project.
Upon returning to Kathmandu on November 11, Wang is scheduled to have a courtesy meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayankaji Shrestha. Discussions will focus on border security matters between Nepal and Tibet, including border checkpoints. An appreciation dinner for embassy officials and Nepali well-wishers, organized by Wang’s delegation, is also on the agenda.
Additionally, Wang will visit Bhaktapur on the 26th of Baisakh to inspect post-earthquake construction projects with Chinese support. Following this, he will depart for Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital.
Wang has affirmed that the Tibet-Kathmandu air service will soon become operational. According to Nepalese officials, repair and expansion of the Syafrubensi-Rasuwagadhi road will commence promptly after his visit.
During his visit, further discussions will address the joint inspection of the Nepal-China border, as agreed during the Prime Minister’s visit to China. The protocol for a three-level border communication system between China’s Ministry of Public Security and Nepal’s Ministry of Home Affairs is set to be signed, which will be discussed by Home Minister Shrestha and Wang.
Additionally, topics of discussion will encompass the ratification of the China-Nepal Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters. Upon Wang’s return, the Chinese side is prepared to initiate the fourth phase of the Arani highway repair project, as agreed between both nations. The construction of a 220 KV cross-border power transmission line in Kerung-Rasuwagadhi, Chilime, will also be addressed, along with the activation of the Nepal-China joint implementation mechanism for cooperation in various energy sectors, such as hydropower, wind energy, solar energy, biomass energy, and hydrogen.
08th Nov 2023
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