Nepal, China to discuss economic cooperation: Official

Officials from Nepal and China are convening for bilateral consultative meeting in Beijing on July 2, a senior Nepali government official revealed Tuesday.

"The one-week meeting is a regular one, during which we will discuss measures to boost economic cooperation and also explore new areas to strengthen bilateral ties," Foreign Secretary Madhu Raman Acharya told reporters.

Among others, the two sides will for the first time discuss on the latest commitment of Nepal to develop itself as transit corridor for Indo-China trade and bridge between China and South Asia, Acharya said.

Although the Nepali government has made clear that any specific plans and commitment to this regard will be developed through tri- lateral consultation between Nepal, India and China, Nepal has not discussed the matter to this proposal with China so far.

"The issue will be talked at length during the upcoming Nepal- China Consultative Meeting," Acharya said.

While the discussion will largely revolve around economic benefits that it will bring to all the countries concerned, the officials will also take initiatives toward possibility of signing transit agreement between Nepal and China, he added.

Source: Xinhua