DPM’s visit to focus on 5 areas of co-op
Useful Links
» A new way to read online, exact replica of your daily and magazine
» For all you tweety fans out there!
» Allows you to find only those news from any date you choose!
» Search any news/ articles by author/ category/ date/ keyword
KATHMANDU, NOV 22 -
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha has a “long and ambitious shopping list” as he leaves for China on Tuesday.
Shrestha’s trip is believed to be a curtain raiser for Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to Kathmandu slated for the third week of December.
Sources said the discussions during the visit will concentrate on five areas of cooperation: infrastructure, hydropower, cultural exchange, connectivity and trade facilitation.
Shrestha, who is leading a nine-member delegation, will start his visit from Lhasa where he will meet Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region Padma Choling. In his meeting with Choling, Shrestha will make a request to extend the Chinese rail, which is already extended to Shigatse, up to the northern border and to develop two border ports in Tatopani and Rasuwa.
“The Nepali side is also interested to open up four other entry points along the Nepal-China border,” a senior Foreign Ministry official said.
The Nepali side has been asking for the opening of four entry points: Syafrubesi, Kimathanka, Lomanthang and Tinkar. Tatopani and Hilsa are currently in use.
After Lhasa, DPM Shrestha will visit Beijing where he will meet his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jeichi.
Shreshta will seek Chinese assistance for building a polytechnic institute in Pokhara, construction of the Outer Ring Road (a long pending project) in Kathmandu and soft loan on the purchase of six aircraft from China.
DPM Shrestha will also seek Chinese aid to construct the 600 MW reservoir type Budhi Gandaki hydropower project and additional Chinese aid for Upper Tamakoshi Hdydropower Project (456 MW), which has been delayed for various reasons.
Likewise, widening of the Ring Road from Kalanki to Koteshwor and construction of four flyovers along the Ring Road are other projects to be proposed during the visit.
“This time the Nepali side will only table its proposal. If China agrees to go ahead with these projects, they will be sealed during the visit of the Chinese premier to Nepal,” sources added.
DPM Shrestha will also convey to the Chinese officials that Nepal is eager to welcome the Chinese premier after a decade-long hiatus.
During his visit, Shrestha will also assure Nepal’s support to one-China policy and that the two countries will move ahead in uniformity on various global issues in multilateral and regional forums.
Posted on: 2011-11-22 08:45
Post Your Comment