By Our Reporter
Nepal has finally overcome the situation to depend with only India for access to the sea, thanks to the signing of the protocol to implement the Transit and Transport Agreement with China in the presence of the presidents of both the countries on Monday.
Before signing the protocol with other six, President Bidya Devi Bhandari held a bilateral meeting with her Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People.
In the presence of the two Heads of State, Nepal and China, Foreign Minister Pradip Gyawali and Chinese Transport Minister Li Xiaopeng signed the protocol of implementing the Transit and Transport Agreement on behalf of their respective governments.
Likewise, Foreign Minister Gyawali signed the letter of hand over of grant and aid for repair and reinforcement of the projects built with Chinese support in Nepal. On behalf of China, Commerce Minister Zhong Shan signed the letter.
Finance Secretary Lal Shanker Ghimire and Wang Xiaotao of the China International Development Cooperation Agency signed the meeting minutes on financial and technical support agreement and consolidating support to the livelihood sector in northern Nepal. Secretary Ghimire also signed along the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi mutual administrative support on matters related to customs.
A memorandum of understanding on exchange of cooperation was signed between Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology, and Standardization Administration of China. Nepali Ambassador to China Lilamani Paudyal and Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqui signed the agreement on behalf of their respective countries.
Ambassador Paudyal also signed together with Liu Yuzhu of Administration of National Cultural Heritage of China on an agreement to ban theft of cultural asset, secret exploration and illegal import and export.
The first State Visit of President Bhandari to China was attached high importance by the Chinese leaders as well as media. Most of the media in China covered the visit of the President.
Earlier, during the bilateral meeting, President Bhandari thanked President Xi for the welcome accorded to her and members of her entourage, while also extending an invitation to him for a visit to Nepal.
Lauding the statement by President Bhandari in the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, Chinese President Xi said he looked forward to giving a new height to the historical relations between the two countries.
Upon arrival at the Great Hall of the People premises, Chinese President Xi welcomed President Bhandari.
President Bhandari was presented a gun salute and guard of honour from a contingent of the Chinese Army. At the invitation of her Chinese counterpart, President Bhandari arrived here on April 24 on a nine-day State visit of China.
She is accompanied by Foreign Minister Gyawali, Chief Minister of Province no. 3 Dormani Paudel, lawmakers and others.
Nepal’s participation at the second Belt and Road Forum became significant for the Nepalis as the Forum’s joint declaration has adopted Nepal’s concern on Multi-Dimensional Trans-Himalayan Connectivity Network including Nepal-China Trans-Himalayan Railway.
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