What does the Nepal-China 13 points joint statement cover?

On September 26, Nepal and China released a joint statement incorporating 13 points as Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ continues with his week-long official visit to China which ends this September 30.

The official visit that began on 23 September was at the behest of Chinese Premier Li Qiang during which he also met President Xi Jinping and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Zhao Leji.

The joint statement outlines the understanding and agreements, including signed MoUs, between the two countries achieved during the visit. Here are the highlights of the joint statement:

What’s new

→ Nepal’s commitment to the ‘One China' principle that China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory while Nepal is against “Taiwan independence.”

What Nepal reiterated

→ That Tibet affairs are China’s internal affairs, that Nepal will never allow any separatist activities against China on its soil.

What did the two sides agree on

→ Accelerate the consultations to finalize the text on the BRI Implementation Plan at an early date

→ Strengthen connectivity in such areas as ports, roads, railways, airways, and grids in an orderly manner and jointly build the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network

• China will extend its support to improve the facilities on the Nepali side of the Lizi-Nechung port (which sits on the Korala mountain pass) at the earliest possible time
• China agreed to work for the early reopening of eligible traditional China-Nepal border trade points
• Maintain communication for the opening of Chentang-Kimathanka and Riwu-Olangchungola ports at an early date
• China will continue to implement the signed cooperation documents concerning transit transport and utilization of highways in China to help turn Nepal from a land-locked country to a land-linked country
• China expressed readiness to start the fourth phase of the Araniko Highway maintenance project and start repairing the Syaphrubesi-Rasuwagadhi Highway as soon as possible after Nepal completes its demolition work
• Accelerate the feasibility study of the Tokha-Chhare Tunnel project
• Jointly support and encourage their respective airlines to resume and open more flights and air routes, including the ones connecting Pokhara, in accordance with bilateral air rights arrangements 
• Jointly finalise China-Nepal Electric Power Cooperation Plan and launch the construction of the Jilong/Keyrung-Rasuwagadhi-Chilime 220 KV cross-border transmission line at an early date

→ Accelerate the negotiation process and complete the signing of the PDA China-Nepal Friendship Industrial Park as soon as possible so as to commence construction and operations at an early date

→ Establish a joint technical working group to review and modify the Trade and Payment Agreement (MoU signed)

→ Acknowledged the signing of the Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements for the export of plant-derived medicinal materials from Nepal for Chinese medicine 

→ Nepal will support the Chinese medical team in Nepal in establishing a new medical facility in Kathmandu

→ Jointly undertake the Nepal-China boundary and bring into force the agreement between the two countries on the Boundary Management System as soon as possible

→ Expedite the ratification of the China-Nepal Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters

→ Declare the year 2025 as the 'Nepal Visit Year' in China

→ Nepal pledged to gift China a pair of one-horned Rhinoceros as a symbol of the long-lasting friendship between the two countries

→ Both sides will leverage the role of the China Cultural Centre, Confucius Institutes, and Confucius Classroom in Nepal to promote China-Nepal cultural exchanges and cooperation

→ Nepal supports the Global Development Initiative (GDI) proposed by China, and will consider to join the Group of Friends of the GDI