Kathmandu, 11 August:   China has announced to provide 800 million RMB to Nepal for this year. State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Wang Yi, during the bilateral talks in Qingdao of China on Wednesday announced it. Prior to the announcement of Chinese largess to Nepal, Wang, and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Khadka took stock of overall aspects of Nepal-China relations and cooperation and agreed to promote further cooperation in various sectors including trade, connectivity, investment, health, tourism, poverty alleviation, agriculture, disaster management, education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges, among others. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the progress made in a range of matters of bilateral cooperation since the official visit of the State Councilor to Nepal in March this year. During the meeting, Minister Khadka reiterated Nepal’s unwavering commitment to One China Policy and assured that the Nepali territory will not be allowed to be used for any activity against China. On the other hand, State Councilor Wang reiterated China’s continued and unconditional support to Nepal’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and assured to support in Nepal’s development endeavors as per the priority of the Government of Nepal. According to the Nepal embassy in Beijing, the two Foreign Ministers expressed their commitment for the timely implementation of the agreements signed and understandings reached during high-level visits in the past. They agreed to expedite the implementation of China-assisted projects in Nepal. On this, the Chinese side assured the Nepali delegation that China will soon start the construction works of the second phase of Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project. The State Councilor also announced that China will carry out the feasibility study of Keyrung-Kathmandu Railway under the grant assistance. He also assured support for pre-feasibility study of Nepal-China cross border transmission line as agreed during his recent official visit to Nepal. Upon the request of the Nepali side, the Chinese side assured that it will positively consider providing chemical fertilizer to Nepal and to study the feasibility of establishing a chemical fertilizer factory in Nepal. Yang agreed to assist Nepal’s agricultural sector. He also agreed to encourage Chinese investment in developing manufacturing capacity of Nepal and enhance cooperation in the export of Nepali tea and traditional medicinal herbs. The two Foreign Ministers decided to establish a joint mechanism for pandemic control in border ports. They also agreed to open Rasuwa-Kyerung and Tatopani-Jangmu ports for two-way trade and Hilsa-Pulang port for one way trade which will take place as soon as the fresh wave of Covid-19 pandemic in Tibet Autonomous Region of China is controlled. In support of people being affected by disasters and natural calamities in different parts of Nepal, State Councilor Wang announced to provide Nepal with 3 million RMB worth of disaster relief materials as per Nepal’s request. China will also provide Nepal with additional 2 million RMB worth of medical items and logistics. The State Councilor also announced that China will provide additional Covid-19 vaccines and Covid-19 related medical assistance as much as Nepal may require. Minister Khadka appreciated the Government of China for its substantial support of health materials, equipment as well as life-saving Covid-19 vaccines and requested further support towards strengthening of health infrastructures and facilities as well as transfer of new technologies in cancer treatment. The State Councilor announced that China would provide support to the establishment of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cells (CAR T cells) manufacturing laboratory in Civil Service Hospital to treat blood cancer and provide necessary training to Nepali health professionals. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of China also announced that all the remaining Nepali students who wish to return to China can proceed for visa procedures, while fulfilling the health protocols, to resume their studies. Both sides agreed to form a bilateral technical committee to do necessary preparation towards the functioning of existing mechanism of Nepal-China Joint Boundary Inspection Committee. The two Foreign Ministers also exchanged views on continuing cooperation in various regional and multilateral forums on matters of mutual interests. People’s News Monitoring Service