Nepal and China have signed an agreement on the 'Framework of Belt and Road Cooperation.'
The signing ceremony was held for the 'Framework of Belt and Road Cooperation' presented by Nepal as an alternative to the BRI implementation plan proposed by China.
According to the Prime Minister's Secretariat, officials from both countries signed the framework during a program held in Beijing on Wednesday, as part of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's official visit to China.
With this, Nepal is now set to officially advance the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which was launched by China and which Nepal had signed in 2017.
Prime Minister Oli is on a four-day official visit to China, having departed for Beijing last Monday aboard a chartered Himalayan Airlines flight.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Oli held a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Premier Li Qiang, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
During the meeting, the two leaders led comprehensive bilateral discussions, accompanied by their respective delegations. The meeting concluded with the signing of multiple agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation in key areas.
The agreements included: Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on enhancing Nepal-China trade, development projects, economic and technical cooperation, volunteer Chinese language teachers, and communication technology between Nepal Television and China Media Group; Exchange of documents related to the construction of the Tokha-Chhahare Tunnel, cash assistance, and the completion of the Basantapur Nine-Story Palace reconstruction; and a protocol concerning the export of processed buffalo meat.
Later on Tuesday, Prime Minister Oli also met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.
Prime Minister Oli is scheduled to conclude his visit and return to Nepal on Thursday, December 5.
(Updated news)
