• China, Nepal agree on cross-Himalayan railway

    International
    China, Nepal agree on cross-Himalayan railway

    The Trans-Himalayan Multi-dimensional Connectivity Network, a component of which the Keyrung-Kathmandu Railway is a part, was first formally agreed upon by China and Nepal in 2017 when Kathmandu joined the BRI.

    Digital Desk: As part of the
    Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has agreed to finance a feasibility study
    for a cross-border railroad with Nepal and has offered $118 million for
    projects in the nation with Chinese assistance, according to the foreign
    ministries of the two nations.



    The Chinese foreign ministry
    announced on Thursday that this year, China will send experts to perform
    assessments for the railway.



    According to Wang Wenbin, a
    spokesperson for the ministry, at a media conference in Beijing on Thursday,
    this was decided upon during a meeting between Nepalese counterpart Narayan
    Khadka and Chinese state councilor and foreign minister Wang Yi on Wednesday
    in the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao.



    "As I just said, the
    two foreign ministers decided to create a cross-Himalaya, multidimensional
    connectivity network during their discussions. Wang, a state councilor, stated
    that China will use cash to support Nepal's feasibility assessment for the
    railway and that within the year, experts would be sent there for exploration.



    Wang declared that China
    will collaborate with Nepal on power and connectivity projects across the
    Himalayas.



    The commitments made by
    Foreign Minister Wang are a part of Beijing's outreach to south Asian nations
    as it seeks to increase its sway in the area.



    In October 2019, when the
    two countries bilateral ties were elevated to a "strategic
    partnership," President Xi Jinping paid a visit to Nepal.



    According to a second
    statement from the Nepalese foreign ministry on the Wang-Khadka meeting, the
    Chinese ambassador promised Nepal grant assistance totaling 800 million RMB
    ($118 million) for a number of projects.



    The Keyrung-Kathmandu
    Railway feasibility study would be carried out by China under grant support,
    Wang stated in the Nepalese release. As agreed upon during his official visit
    to Nepal in March 2022, he also pledged support for the feasibility study of
    the cross-border transmission line between Nepal and China.



    The Nepalese statement said,
    "On the occasion, state councilor Wang Yi announced to contribute 800
    million RMB to Nepal for the year 2022."



    The Trans-Himalayan
    Multi-dimensional Connectivity Network, a component of which the
    Keyrung-Kathmandu Railway is a part, was first formally agreed upon by China
    and Nepal in 2017 when Kathmandu joined the BRI.



    Wang also stated that China
    would "give Nepal 3 million RMB ($345,136) in disaster assistance
    supplies in response to Nepal's request. According to the Nepalese statement,
    China would also give Nepal an additional 2 million RMB ($296,757) worth of
    medical supplies and logistics. Wang also stated that China will give Nepal
    additional Covid-19 vaccines and Covid-19-related "medical support as much
    as Nepal may want."



    Wang told Khadka, according
    to a second statement on the meeting released by the official news agency,
    Xinhua, on Thursday, "China is ready to work with Nepal to jointly build
    the Belt and Road (Initiative) with high quality, carry forward their ever-lasting
    friendship, and open up new prospects for the development of bilateral
    relations."



    According to the Xinhua
    statement, Wang further stated that China would support Nepal in maintaining
    its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity as well as in
    independently seeking a development path consistent with national realities,
    bettering the lives of its citizens, and revitalizing the country.