Kathmandu, 7 sept. Deputy pirme minister Krishna bahadur mahara and his counter part from PRC Wang yi, jointly stated 16 point agreement in Beijing. Mr mahara is in 6 day official visit to china. Meanwhile both leaders are discussed various aspects of development as well bilateral cooperation between China and Nepal. statement as follows.

Dear Media friends Ladies and Gentleman,
1. As Excellency Yi just stated, we held very fruitful and comprehensive bilateral talks on all important aspects of Nepal-China relations today.

2. Nepal and China have made significant strides in recent past. We have agreed to seize the available opportunities in both countries to take Nepal-China bilateral relations to a new height.

3. We comprehensively reviewed the progress made by respective sides on the agreements reached during the recent high-level visits including the visit of the former Prime Minister ‘Prachanda’ to China in March 2017 and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang to Nepal last month.

4. We also shared views on implementation of all agreements and understandings reached in the past including MoUs on Cooperation under the OBOR, Cross Border Economic Cooperation Zone, Agreement on Investment Promotion and Economic Cooperation as well as Letter of Exchange on Syaprubenshi-Rasuwagadhi Highway upgradation, among others.

5. I shared that I have come up with a common consensus among major political leaders to carry forward railway connectivity between Nepal and China as a national priority project. 6. We have also discussed the ideas on regular exchange of high level visits and convening the meeting of Consultation Mechanisms.

7. I expressed the firm commitment of Nepal to “One China Policy”. We have the policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of any other countries. We appreciate China’s neighborhood diplomacy guided by the principle of sincerity, amity and mutual benefit. Our relations are guided by the ‘Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence’. Friendliness, mutual cooperation, understanding and appreciation of each other’s aspirations and sensitivities constitute the essential ingredients of our relationship.

8. We shared views on the BRI initiative taken by the Chinese President. Nepal has expectation that the Initiative should contribute to the development of physical infrastructures, enhancing cross-border connectivity, including railways and roads, promotion of trade, tourism and investment, and people-to-people relations.

9. Let me also inform you, Nepal has recently established the Consulate General in Guangzhou. After my visit to Beijing, I will attend the opening ceremony of the Nepali Consulate General in Guangzhou on 10 September 2017. We are thankful for the support of the Chinese Government in this regard.

10. We thank the continuous Chinese support in our development efforts. Through our joint efforts, important works have initiated recently including the agreement to mobilize RMB 2 billion in 2016 and 2017 and important renovation projects such as Nine-Storied Basantapur Durbar in Kathmandu.

11. We also discussed the early carrying out of the feasibility study of Nepal-China Cross Border Railway line stretching from Keyrong-Kathmandu-Pokhara-Lumbini.

12. We exchanged our views on the draft protocol to the Transit Transport Agreement and agreed to intensify negotiation in the coming days for its early finalization. I request the Excellency Foreign Minister to take some supportive measures to correct the huge trade imbalance faced by Nepal with China.

13. We also agreed to make joint effort for the Tourism promotion of Nepal. I thanked the Chinese Government for designating 2017 as Nepal Tourism Promotion Year in China. We expect the support of the Chinese Government to assist us in publicizing the major tourist destinations of Nepal in major Chinese cities.

14. We shared our views on the early reopening of the Araniko Highway. We also agreed to upgrade existing border ports and open new ports.

15. Today, our respective officials will initial the MoU on establishing the Dialogue Mechanism on Energy Cooperation between Nepal and China. This will create avenue for cooperation on energy sector.

16. We also shared our views and ideas on continuing our cooperation at regional and international forums on matters of common interest.
Thank you.

07/09/2017