Kathmandu, Sept 26: Nepal and China have agreed to construct of the Jilong/Keyrung-Rasuwagadhi-Chilime 220 KV Cross-Border Power Transmission line at an early date.
According to the joint statement after the bilateral talks between Premier Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Li Qiang, the two sides will continue to make good use of the platform of the China-Nepal Joint Implementation Mechanism that will carry out exchanges and cooperation in the field of hydropower, wind power, solar power, biomass power and hydrogen.
The two sides will further promote cooperation in the field of energy, particularly the development of hydropower and cross-border transmission lines and associated substations. The two sides will continue working toward the finalization of China-Nepal Electric Power Cooperation Plan by convening the second meeting of the Joint Implementation Mechanism at the earliest, the statement reads.
Likewise, the Chinese side agreed to positively consider for supplying grid power to electrify northern remote villages of Nepal from Xizang Autonomous Region of China, and take overall consideration of providing equipment or technology on commercial terms.
Cross border road and railway
The two sides agreed to continue to implement the signed cooperation documents concerning transit transport and utilization of highways in China to help turn Nepal from a land-locked country to a land-linked country. In light of Nepal’s needs, the Chinese side is ready to start the fourth phase of the Araniko Highway maintenance project. The Chinese side is ready to start repairing the Syaphrubesi-Rasuwagadhi Highway as soon as possible after the Nepali side completes its demolition work.
Both sides agreed to accelerate the feasibility study of the Tokha-Chhare Tunnel project, recognizing that the project will elevate the level of connectivity between the two countries. The two sides agreed to expedite the implementation of the second phase of the Kathmandu Ring Road project.
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. The Chinese side is ready to help Nepal train railway professionals.
Aviation cooperation
The two sides 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.
Opening up border points
The two sides welcomed the successful opening of the Lizi-Nechung port and the reopening of the Zhangmu-Khasa port to passenger services. The two sides applaud the smooth and orderly operation of passenger and cargo services at Pulan and Jilong ports. The Chinese side will extend its support to improve the facilities on the Nepali side of the Lizi-Nechung port at the earliest possible time.
The Chinese side agreed to work for the early reopening of eligible traditional China-Nepal border trade points. The two sides agreed to maintain communication for the opening of Chentang-Kimathanka, Riwu-Olangchungola ports at an early date.
The two sides agreed to continue to implement the signed cooperation documents concerning transit transport and utilization of highways in China to help turn Nepal from a land-locked country to a land-linked country. In light of Nepal’s needs, the Chinese side is ready to start the fourth phase of the Araniko Highway maintenance project. The Chinese side is ready to start repairing the Syaphrubesi-Rasuwagadhi Highway as soon as possible after the Nepali side completes its demolition work.
Belt and Road Initiative plan
The two sides, while 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, 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. The two sides agreed to strengthen connectivity in such areas as ports, roads, railways,
airways and grids in an orderly manner, jointly build the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network, work together to ensure the safety of the cooperation projects and company personnel of the two countries, and contribute to Nepal’s realization of its development agenda including graduating from the least developed country status at an early date.
