The 16th round of the Nepal-China Diplomatic Consultation Mechanism meeting is set to be held in Kathmandu today. Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong arrived in Kathmandu on Monday and met with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
Nepal’s delegation, led by Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal, includes senior officials from various ministries. Discussions will focus on bilateral relations and cooperation, with a significant emphasis on potentially signing the implementation plan for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
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According to officials, the BRI implementation plan, initially proposed by China in 2020, is likely to be signed today. This plan, once approved, will pave the way for project selection, execution, and funding modalities under the BRI framework. The draft of this plan has been revised and forwarded for final approval by Nepal’s National Planning Commission.
The meeting will also review past agreements and accords signed during high-level visits since 2015 and discuss future economic and development corridors linking Nepal with various Chinese provinces. This proposal aims to attract Chinese investment, boost trade, and enhance tourism.
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Other topics on the agenda include the transit and transportation protocol, signed in 2018, which allows Nepal to use several Chinese seaports and land ports for third-country trade. Despite the agreement, its full implementation has been stalled due to technical issues and lack of infrastructure.
Sun Weidong’s visit coincides with preparations for the 70th anniversary of Nepal-China diplomatic relations in 2025, during which China plans to promote tourism through the “Visit Nepal 2025” campaign. Additionally, discussions on operating more flights from Chinese cities to Nepal’s Pokhara and Bhairahawa airports are expected.
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The meeting underscores China’s active diplomatic engagement with Nepal, especially following changes in Nepal’s coalition government.
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25th Jun 2024
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