Kathmandu: Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli’s upcoming five-day visit to China, his first after re-election, will see the two countries sign a number of agreements, including one on energy cooperation and construction of a railway line connecting Kerung in Tibet to capital Kathmandu, a senior NCP leader said. Oli will be in China from June 19 to 24. During his visit, many projects under the Belt and Road Initiative and China’s plans for an India-Nepal-China economic corridor are expected to be discussed.
The visit will further strengthen ties and promote cooperation between Nepal and China, said Ganesh Shah, member of Communist Party of Nepal (NCP) Standing Committee. Half a dozen MoUs will be signed between Nepal and China during the PM’s visit, he said. Nepal will sign an MoU on constructing a railway line connecting Kerung of Tibet to Kathmandu. A feasibility study will be conducted for the railway line, which is expected to complete within four years. An agreement will be signed for energy cooperation between the two countries, Shah said. An agreement will be made to form a permanent government to government mechanism between Nepal and China to look after different projects being constructed under Chinese assistance.
Oli, during his earlier tenure as premier in 2016, had widened China-Nepal ties by signing the transit trade treaty with China to reduce the dependence of his landlocked country on India. China will also extend assistance to Nepal for post earthquake reconstruction, Shah said. Only one third assistance has been materialised and Beijing will extend the remaining assistance during the visit, he said. Oli, who is also NCP’s chairman, told party standing committee that his official visit to China will be historic. His visit comes at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Li Keqing. This will be Oli’s first visit to China since he assumed power in February.
China has been investing heavily in Nepal in the last few years to enhance connectivity and infrastructure.
