The Nepal Weekly 
September 5, 2023
Nepal government has been working out around a dozen agendas for the forthcoming official visit of China by Prime Minister Pushapa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda.’
Foreign Minister NP Saud revealed about these agendas during a press meet organized by Nepal Press Union Solukhumbu District Committee in Solukhumbu of Eastern Nepal Sunday morning, according to the secretariat of the Foreign Minister.
“Prime Minister Prachanda is embarking on a visit to China leading a Nepalese delegation towards third week of September,” and the agendas of the visit range from agricultural development to opening northern checkpoints to hydropower development,” pointed out Foreign Minister Saud, “During the bilateral talks matters relating to the grants pledged by President Xi Jinping during his Nepal visit in 2019 will also feature.”
Programmes will be decided on priority basis to utilize the grants to be provided by government of China during the visit, he added.
Stating that there are around a dozen checkpoints on the northern border with China, the talks will also touch upon the operation of these border points. “Some of these check points were shut down in the wake of Covid – 19 pandemic, and efforts will be made to reopen these checkpoints during the visit.”
Saud further elaborated that the delegation will float proposals to move forward for attracting Chinese investment for developing hydropower projects lying on the China border including Kimathanka.
“Besides these, the projects including the construction of transmission lines from Rasuwa and Kimathanka, will also be discussed during the bilateral talks,” he said. the east-west highway, Seti Corridor, road construction from Hilsa to Surkhet, Nuwakot-Chhahare tunnel road construction and upgradation and renovation of Kodari Highway are also in the agendas during the Prime Minister’s official visit to Chin, Minister Saud informed.
Similarly, cooperation on health related matters including the extension of Civil Hospital and Bir Hospital of Kathmandu will feature in the agendas during the bilateral talks, he informed.
Discussions will also be held with China on trade related issues including reducing Nepal’s high trade deficit, minister Saud said. “We will identify goods to be exported to China and also explore the possibility of establishing export oriented joint venture industries by attracting Chinese investment to address the trade deficit currently facing Nepal,” minister Saud pointed out.
Prime Minister Prachand will fly to China directly from USA on September 22. The Prime Minister will leave for USA on September 16 to attend in the 79th General Assembly of the United Nations.
