Survey On Cross-Border Railway With Nepal To Begin This Year: China

Backing Nepal's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Beijing has said it will begin a survey on the China-Nepal cross-border railway this year.

This was revealed during a meeting between China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Nepalese counterpart Narayan Khadka on late Wednesday in Qingdao city of China's eastern Shandong province.

"China will use aid funds for Nepal to support the feasibility study of the China-Nepal cross-border railway, and will send experts to Nepal to conduct the survey work within this year," Wang told Khadka, a statement by the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

Wang added China will impose zero-tariff on 98% imports from of Nepali which will come into effect on Sept. 1.

"China supports Nepal in making good use of this policy dividend to expand its export to China," the Chinese top diplomat said.

The statement said the two sides will strengthen cooperation on justice, combating cross-border cybercrimes, border management, and ports.

Besides, Wang said China will also strengthen cooperation on pandemic response and medical care, promote the construction and operation of the China-Nepal Chinese Medicine Center, and support enterprises of the two countries in carrying out cooperation in planting Chinese medical herbs.

"China will provide blood cancer treatment equipment and technology for public hospitals in Nepal and continue to offer vaccine assistance," he added.

On China's multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative cooperation, the statement said the two sides will negotiate and "conclude an implementation plan as soon as possible."

"It's China's consistent proposition that all countries, big or small, rich or poor, strong or weak, are equal. China will continue to firmly support Nepal's efforts to safeguard its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, explore a development path in line with its national conditions, improve Nepali people's lives, and revitalize the nation," Wang said.

The statement "ed Khadka telling Wang that Nepal "firmly pursues the one-China principle and will never allow any activities that use Nepal's territory to oppose China and undermine China's interests."

"Nepal will unswervingly honor this commitment," said the top diplomat of the land-locked Himalayan nation which also borders India. -