KATHMANDU, NOV 25 - China has agreed to extend financial assistance for constructing Nepal’s Consulate General Office at Lhasa, Tibet, upon Nepal’s request.

According to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala, the Chinese side is positive about Nepal’s request and will provide phasewise assistance for the multi-million dollar project.

“China has allotted 2 million RMB (approx. Rs. 20.4 million) for construction of the consulate building. The assistance will be released from 2010,” Ngaindra Upadhyay, Nepal’s Consul General at Lhasa told the Post. “The current building that houses the consulate is old and needs to be replaced by a new one.” Koirala discussed the assistance with visiting Deputy Executive Vice-Chair of Tibet Autonomous Region, Hao Peng on Wednesday.

The Chinese side has agreed to provide 3 million RMB (Rs. 30.6 mi-llion) as food assistance annually from this year. That assistance will go to the northern bordering districts of Nepal, particularly the food-starved Karnali region. China will allow Nepal the use of its highways to ferry food to the adjoining border districts, according to Koirala. Extension of Chinese railways up to Nepal border figured du-ring the Tibetan delegation’s meeting with Local Development Minister Purna Kumar Sherma. Construction of a business port near the Kerung pass is also under consideration. 

China has upgraded its annual assistance by 150 million RMB, which was limited to RMB 100 million until last year. China has also pledged military assistance worth Rs. 100 million. The military assistance will include non-lethal weapons, logistics support, training for Army officials and communications equipment.

 China is positive about providing duty-free access to 497 Nepali goods. For the first time, the Tibetan side also made its commitment to build schools in bordering areas, launch income generation schemes and

provide scholarships to Nepali students.

The Tibetan side also paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal. They discussed China’s internal security concerns and Nepal’s peace process, according to the prime minister’s press adviser Bishnu Rijal. The delegation also called upon Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala on Wednesday.

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