Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, has paid a courtesy call on Finance Minister Barshaman Pun on Tuesday.
Held at the Finance Ministry in Singha Durbar on this morning, Ambassador Chen congratulated Pun on his appointment as the finance minister and wished him a successful tenure ahead.
In the meeting with Ambassador Chen, Minister Pun urged the China government to expedite the ongoing development projects financed and assisted by China and expressed belief that those which are already in the pipeline will soon gain momentum.
Appreciating the China government’s work towards economic development and poverty alleviation in the past one decade, Pun said the China’s experience is quite useful and relevant in the context of Nepal.
Pun urged Ambassador Chen to augment assistance to Nepal stating that the Himalayan nation is undergoing financial constraints, currently.
Pun thanked China for its relief aid during the 2015 mega earthquake, Covid-19 pandemic and latest Jajarkot earthquake and its assistance in the various sectors including the infrastructure development.
Meanwhile, Minister Pun expressed belief that the second phase of Ring Road widening project and Jilong-Kerung-Rasuwagadhi-Chilime-220 KV inter-country transmission line will start soon.
A bilateral agreement had been reached between China and Nepal during Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’’s recent China visit. Pun also expressed his concern over the development of the feasibility study of the Trans-Himalayan Railway Project, saying that Nepal puts it on top priority. Nepal and China have already agreed in principle on the Nepal-China railway project.
The feasibility study of the Kerung-Kathmandu-Pokhara-Lumbini Railway and its Detailed Project Report (DPR) are under preparation.
“It’s a dream project of Nepali people,” said Minister Pun, “We have placed it on high priority. We want to see it to be expedited at the earliest.”
While urging the China side to carry out the feasibility study of the Tokha-Chhahare Tunnel construction at the earliest, Pun thanked the Chinese side for bringing Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi checkpoints into operations during the meeting.
Meanwhile, he also urged Ambassador Chen to send as many Chinese investors as possible to participate in the Nepal Investment Summit to be held in Kathmandu on April 28-29 and requested China to begin international flights at Bhairahawa and Pokhara airports.
In reply, Ambassador Chen said that Nepal and China have been enjoying age-old friendly relations, expressing belief that the bilateral relations will take a new height in the days ahead.
Chen stressed the need to implement the bilateral agreements reached between Nepal and China during President Xi Jinping Nepal visit and Prime Minister Prachanda’s China visit.
Wishing a successful Nepal Investment Summit 2024, Envoy Chen assured that a significant number of Chinese investors will participate in the Summit. Chen stated that China has placed the economic and social development of Nepal on top priority and added that Chinese are willing to invest in the agriculture, industry and Information Technology.
“China wants to assist Nepal in its development and prosperity drive and take the bilateral relations to a new height through mutual coordination and cooperation,” said Chen.
He informed Minister Pun that discussions are underway with the Chinese companies regarding the operation of international flights from Bhairahawa and Pokhara airports.
