China has announced its intention to deepen economic and trade relations with Nepal through a range of initiatives, including the opening of the Yari-Purang border for trade in early 2023.
"More Nepali products will be exported to China," Wang Xin, the Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of China in Nepal, underlined.
The announcement to open the Yari-Purang border for trade in early 2023 follows recent developments in China-Nepal relations, including the reopening of the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung land border route for the movement of goods and the arrival of a Chinese expert team to conduct a feasibility study and survey for the China-Nepal Cross-Border Railway, also known as the "sky road."
These actions mark an important step in the construction of the railway, which is expected to further strengthen economic and trade ties between the two countries.
“Nepal's dream [to transition] from a land-locked country to a land-linked country will finally come true,” the Chinese embassy stated, describing the project as crucial under the BRI.
The Yari-Purang border is one of six that have been officially announced in 2019 for bilateral trade with Nepal via land routes, including Kodari-Nyalam, Rasuwa-Kerung, Olangchunggola-Riwu, Kimathanka-Riwu, and Nechung-Lizi.
Prior to these developments, Nepal has only had the option to trade with other countries through India.
“China has always regarded Nepal as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy and the BRI cooperation, and firmly supports Nepal in maintaining political stability, improving the economy and people's livelihood,” Wang emphasized.
The Chinese diplomat stated that the Civil Services Hospital in Kathmandu will be completed in the near future. He also mentioned that the China-Nepal Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation has brought tangible benefits to the Nepali people.
China has also promised to construct dry ports at all of the six trading points in order to facilitate trade, with one already built and handed over to Nepali authorities in Larcha.
Work is also being done to develop cross-border roads through Simikot-Hilsa, Jomsom-Korala, and Khandbari-Kimanthanka in the Nepal-Tibet border region.
The two countries have also begun work on the Syaphrubesi-Rasuwagadhi road as part of their efforts to expand border cooperation.
Nepal's new Communist government, led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal, known as 'Prachanda', has stated that it wishes to maintain a "balanced" relationship with both India and China, which are the country's largest neighbors and economic partners.
The government believes that this approach will be beneficial for Nepal as it allows the country to take advantage of the economic opportunities offered by both nations while also avoiding dependence on any one country.