Nepal- China Foreign Minister level talks commence   

Kathmandu, Sept 9 . The Foreign Affairs Ministers of Nepal and China have begun bilateral delegation level talks in Kathmandu today. The consultation is taking place in a gap of four years.

All topics of mutual interest and concerns as well as the entire gamut of Nepal-China relations would be discussed during the talks that would be centred on economic and development partnership.

Agreements and treaties reached between the two countries and the development and construction projects implemented in Nepal would be reviewed as well as their prompt implementation emphasized in course of the talks.

Profound discussions are also expected to be held on the occasion as to how could Nepal be benefited from the infrastructure and economic development achieved by China, a reliable partner of Neapl’s development, as well as on matters of bilateral interest and regional nd international concerns.

It is also stated that talks would be held centering on the understanding reached for forming the Trans-Himalayan Multi-dimensional Connectivity Network between China and Nepal, construction of railway and mutual contacts as well as on transport and transit agreements and reducing Nepal’s trade deficit with China, among other topics.

Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi said that three separate memorandums of understanding (MoUs) would be signed following the talks. The MoUs are related to building a hospital in Manang with China’s assistance, providing 5,000 units of tents to the earthquake-affected and Chinese volunteers teaching Chinese language at Nepali educational institutions.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Finance Minister Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada, Nepal’s ambassador to China, Leela Mani Poudyal, Foreign Secretary Bairagi, Finance Secretary Rajan Khanal, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kali Prasad Pokharel, among the senior officials are participating in the consultations from Nepal’s side.

The Chinese side which is led by Foreign Minister Wang Yi comprises Chinese Foreign Secretary Lu Zhoubi, China’s ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi, Vice Chair of Chinese International Development Cooperation Agency, officials of the Asia Department at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other senior officials.