China, Nepal agree to build trans-Himalayan network

BEIJING: China and Nepal have agreed to build the so-called Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network, the Chinese foreign 6ministry said, following a meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries.

It has also pledged $118 million in grant assistance to Nepal to invest in various projects this year after visiting foreign minister Narayan Khadka held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi to further cement the bilateral ties.

As part of the agreement, Wang said China would finance the feasibility study of a China-Nepal cross-border railway and send experts to Nepal to conduct surveys this year, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson at the foreign ministry, told a media briefing in Beijing on Thursday. The network, under China’s Belt and Road Initiative, will involve the building of railways and communication networks.

Khadka, who is on an official visit to China, met Wang in the Chinese city of Qingdao on Wednesday, where he also reiterated Nepal’s unwavering commitment to the one-China Policy and assured that the Nepali territory would not be allowed to be used for any anti-China activity, according to the statement.