'Nepal and China will sign some agreements and MoUs'

KATHMANDU: During Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's five-day official visit to China from June 19, 2018, the two countries will sign some agreements and Memorandums of Understandings (MoUs), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said.

"During the visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to hold delegation level bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang. Likewise, PM Oli will address Nepal-China Business Forum and think tanks in Beijing," informed MoFA.

According to sources, Nepal and China will sign agreements on building fuel storage sites in Kavre and Nuwakot districts. The Nepali delegation is expected to request China to let hauliers use Chinese highways for transporting goods. Moreover, the focus of Prime Minister's visit would be on implementation of past agreements including Trade Transit Protocol with China.

"Although Nepal has already signed Belt Road Initiative of China, no further discussions have taken place regarding nature of the projects under BRI. Thus, some discussions on that part are also likely to happen," said Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Lawmaker Dipak Prakash Bhatta.

According to Bhatta, agreements on operating border points of Tatopani and Kimathanka will also be tabled. However, agreements on major energy projects and railways are less likely to happen, Bhatta added.

Moreover, during his official visit, PM Oli is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and address a university based in Sichuan Province.

Minister for Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa, Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Barsha Man Pun, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghubir Mahaseth, Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister Bishnu Rimal, Members of Parliament, high-ranking government officials, representatives of private sector, media persons and Prime Minister's spouse Radhika Shakya will accompany him during his visit to China.