Kathmandu, March 30

The first meeting of the Nepal-China Coordination Mechanism on Border Trade and Cooperation was held today in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China.

The meeting was co-chaired by Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Nepal, Madhu Kumar Marasini and Executive Vice-chairman of the People's Government of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, Chen Yongqi.

The discussion focused on resuming cross-border trade and people-to-people movement at optimum level and exploring new avenues of cooperation in border trade and cooperation, including smooth operation of land ports, trade facilitation, customs cooperation, border area development, and trade-related infrastructure, among others.

During the meeting, the two sides agreed to fully operate the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung exit and entry points for two-way trade and people-to-people movement from 1 April 2023. Similarly, twoway trade via Tatopani-Zhangmu and human movement/passenger clearance from Yari to Pulang will resume from 1 May 2023.

Upon Nepal's request, the Chinese side has agreed to consider setting up a multi-functional lab at the Nepal-China border.

China also welcomed Nepal's suggestion on the construction of trans-border special economic zone and providing technical and financial support to build infrastructure on the Nepal side at Nechung-Lizi border port.

The Chinese side assured opening up seasonal border trade points at the Nepal-China border point. While acknowledging the importance of closer economic and trade relations between the two countries, the two delegations exchanged views on possible cooperation on a range of areas, including export of agricultural and livestock products such as citrus fruits, dried meat and medicinal herbal products to China.

During the meeting, Marasini stressed the need to operate Kathmandu-Lhasa direct flights and requested the Chinese side to resume direct flights at an early date. Both sides also underlined the need to enhance the level of support for improving the livelihood of people residing in bordering districts in the Northern Himalayan region of Nepal. The Chinese side also agreed to encourage its business community to invest in Nepal in different sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture and garments.

In the light of recent policies adopted by both countries in response to COVID-19, the two sides agreed to rename the Nepal-China Joint Epidemic Prevention and Control Mechanism as the Nepal-China Coordination Mechanism on Border Trade and Cooperation.

The Nepali delegation comprised senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Consulate General of Nepal in Lhasa, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

Likewise, the Chinese delegation comprised high-ranking officials of the Foreign Affairs Office of China's TAR, Department of Commerce, Customs, Exit-Entry, and Department of Health.

Later in the afternoon, Marasini, who is also the head of the Nepali delegation, paid a courtesy call on Chairman of the People's Government of Tibet Yan Jinghai.

During the meeting, views were exchanged on matters of mutual interest, including the promotion of economic cooperation between Nepal and China in general, and about Nepal and Tibet in particular.

A version of this article appears in the print on March 31, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.