Aug 31, 2017-
The
Rasuwagadi-Kerung border point, the only trade route currently in operation
between Nepal and China, has been upgraded as an international crossing point
with an aim to develop it as a major junction linking China to the whole of
South Asia.
The announcement
was made amid a function in Lhasa on Wednesday, with senior officials from the
Chinese government and Consular General of Nepal in Tibet Govinda Bahadur Karki
in attendance.
The
Rasuwagadhi-Kerung border crossing, which was opened in December 2014, has been
the only point of bilateral trade between Nepal and China after the Great
Earthquake in April 2015 severely damaged the Kodari Highway in several
sections. The Tatopani border point has remained closed since.
Responding to
Nepal’s request, the Chinese side recently pledged Rs15 billion in support for
its upgradation.
The
Rasuwagadhi-Kerung crossing has been upgraded as an international border point,
allowing citizens from other countries besides Nepalis and Chinese to travel
across the border, Nepal’s Consular General Office in Lhasa said in a statement
on Wednesday. Foreign ministries of Nepal and China had exchanged a diplomatic
note in June to upgrade it as an international border point.
The second
largest Tibetan city of Shigatse is about 540 km from Kerung, the nearest
Chinese town from Nepal, while the bordering Nepali district of Rasuwa is 35km
away from there. Kathmandu is 110km from the district.
Addressing a
joint press conference, Vice-chairman of the Tibetan government Luo Mei said:
“It is a matter of great pleasure to announce the upgradation of the
Rasuwagadhi-Kerung border point with the Nepali side.”
Luo assured that
they would upgrade the Kerung border point to facilitate Beijing’s ‘One Belt
One Road’ initiative.
Although the
movement of goods and services are currently limited to Nepal and China,
trading with third countries will be possible once China enters separate
agreements with other nations willing to do trade through this
point.
China has
developed and equipped the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung point with the state-of-art
facilities. “Infrastructure and reconstruction of the border point has almost
completed,” Luo said. “The upgradation of the border point is expected to
boost trade, tourism and people to people contact between the two counties, and
help implement the China’s OBOR.”
Echoing Lou’s
sentiments, Consular General Karki said that Nepal would be greatly benefited
with the announcement, adding that bilateral trade, tourism, investment and
people to people contact would be increased.
“Having joined
the OBOR initiative, Nepal has been stressing the need to promote trade,
tourism and investment,” Karki said, while calling for the reopening of the
historic Tatopani border point along with new trade routes.
Published: 31-08-2017 08:05
