KATHMANDU: China has agreed to allow Nepal to use four seaports and three land ports for the third country trade.

Nepal can use Shenzen, Lianyungang, Zhanjiang and Tianjin, the latter one being the nearest sea port at the distance of around 3,300 Kilometres from Nepali border.

Likewise, Nepal has been allowed to use Lanzhou, Lhasa and Xigatse land ports (dry ports).

Chinese authorities will provide permits to the trucks and containers in Nepal ferrying Nepal-bound cargo to and from Xigatse of Tibet. Nepali traders will be allowed to use any mode of transport— rail/road to access to sea ports for the third country trade, according to Ravi Shanker Sainju, joint secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and head of the Nepali delegation.

The meeting of Nepali and Chinese authorities held here on Wednesday and Thursday for the finalisation of the protocol of Transit and Transport Agreement (TTA) with China, decided to access the Chinese territory from six checkpoints — Rasuwa, Tatopani (Sindhupalchok), Korala (Mustang), Kimathanka (Sankhuwasabha), Yari (Humla), Olangchung Gola (Taplejung).

MoICS joint secretary Sainju and Director General of Transport Department of China, Wang Suiping have signed the agreement early morning today.

It has been reported that the protocol will be exchanged during the high-level visit from Nepal to China or vice versa.

The Transit Transport Agreement with China, signed in March 2016 during Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's China visit, will come into force once the protocol is exchanged following the high level visit from one of the two neighbouring countries.