Chinese President Xi Jinping\u2019s visited Nepal on October 12, 2019, marking a historic visit that had not taken place in the last 23 years.<\/p>\n

Jinping visited the Himalayan nation on the invitation of Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari.<\/p>\n

The Chinese President landed at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in an Air China flight on October 12, 2019 at 5 PM NPT.<\/p>\n

President Bhandari along with other Nepal representatives including Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Nepal Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun and other cabinet and chief ministers welcomed Jinping at the airport.<\/p>\n

Following this, a group of the Nepal Army personnel welcomed the Chinese President with a \u2018guard of honor\u2019.<\/p>\n

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Besides, the President of China was also welcomed by Nepalis dressed in colorful ethnic clothing representing the seven provinces of Nepal, waving Nepal and China\u2019s national flags.<\/p>\n

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The Chinese President and his delegation then headed to the Soaltee Hotel, where arrangements for his stay were made.<\/p>\n

Xi Jinping Meets Bidya Devi Bhandari<\/h3>\n

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On the evening of October 12, 2019, President Jinping visited President Bhandari at her residence – Sheetal Niwas for a brief meeting.<\/p>\n

During the meeting, the two sides discussed matters of mutual benefit for both nations.<\/p>\n

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Jinping also announced support worth NPR 56 billion to Nepal between 2020-2022 for the upliftment of Nepalis living standards.<\/p>\n

He congratulated and praised Nepal for the developments made ever since the Nepal Communist Party rose to power. He expressed China\u2019s wish to strengthen bilateral relations established on the basis of peaceful existence.<\/p>\n

While speaking on various issues, the Chinese President said that the Nepal-China trade imbalance could be addressed if Nepal would export competitive goods.<\/p>\n

He also said that he would encourage Chinese investments, however, Nepal could seek help from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank also.<\/p>\n

Following his meeting with Bhandari, Jinping returned to Soaltee, where Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba was waiting to pay a courtesy call to the Chinese President.<\/p>\n

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He later attended the banquet hosted by President Bhandari in honor of him at the Soaltee Hotel.<\/p>\n

Chinese President Jinping Meets Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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The Chinese President met Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and held delegation-level talks on October 13, 2019. The two leaders witnessed the signing of 18 MoUs and two letters of exchange for various sectors including agriculture, commerce, industry, transport and supply.<\/p>\n

Following is the list of MoU signed by Nepal and China:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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1. Agreement on Boundary Management System<\/li>\n
2. Agreement on Establishment of Kathmandu and Nanjing as Sister-Cities<\/li>\n
3. Agreement on Establishment of Confucius Institute at Tribhuvan University<\/li>\n
4. MoU for Cooperation to Protect Mount Sagarmatha (Everest)<\/li>\n
5. MoU on Cooperation for Traditional Medicine<\/li>\n
6. MoU on Cooperation in Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Response<\/li>\n
7. MoU on Cooperation between Office of the Attorney General of Nepal and the Supreme People\u2019s Procurator of the People\u2019s Republic of China<\/li>\n
8. MoU on Exchange and Cooperation for Govt. Capacity Building<\/li>\n
9. MoU on the Establishment of Joint Working Group for Trade<\/li>\n
10. MoU on Establishment of Investment Cooperation Working Group<\/li>\n
11. MoU on Feasibility Study of China-Nepal Cross-Border Railway Project<\/li>\n
12. MoU on promoting key projects under Investment and Cooperation on Productive Capacity<\/li>\n
13. MoU on Cooperation for Tunnel Construction<\/li>\n
14. Delivery and Acceptance of Certificate for the China-Aid Earthquake Monitoring Network Project in Nepal<\/li>\n
15. Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements for Nepal to Export Citrus Fruits to China<\/li>\n
16. Treaty for Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters<\/li>\n
17. Exchange of Note on Institutionalizing a Nepal Consulate General in Chengdu.<\/li>\n
18. Exchange of Letter for Border Security and Office Equipment<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Nepal, China Commit to Expedite BRI Projects<\/h3>\n

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    As part of the Chinese President\u2019s two-day visit, Nepal and China also agreed to expedite the MoU on the Belt and Road Initiative, (BRI) signed in 2017.<\/p>\n

    The countries had decided to improve connectivity spanning roads, railway, communication and airways under the theme of the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network. However, none of the projects under the theme have seen any significant progress.<\/p>\n

    Following are the different projects which Nepal and China are looking to speed up\/initiate:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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    • Pokhara-Lumbini Railway Project, which is impending since an MoU was signed for the same in 2018. The countries signed an MoU on Sunday to conduct a feasibility study for the same<\/li>\n
    • Restoration of freight function at the quake-hit Khasa port<\/li>\n
    • Optimizing the functions of the Kerung port and opening of the Lizi\/Nechung port<\/li>\n
    • Implementation of the Protocol related to utilization of the Tibet Highway for cargo transport<\/li>\n
    • Protocol to the Agreement on Transit Transport<\/li>\n
    • Upgradation and Reconstruction of the Araniko Highway<\/li>\n
    • Repair of the Syphrubesi-Rasuwagadi Highway<\/li>\n
    • Construction of tunnels along the Kerung-Kathmandu Road \u2013 30 km tunnel way<\/li>\n
    • Construction of the Kimathanka-Leguwaghat section of the Koshi Highway<\/li>\n
    • Study on the possibility of cooperation for the development of the Gandaki Economic Corridor, Karnali Economic Corridor and the Koshi Economic Corridor<\/li>\n
    • Agreement of Operation of more direct flights between Nepal and China<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      \u201cBoth sides on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, Charter of the United Nations and principles of good neighborliness, decided to elevate Nepal-China Comprehensive Partnership of Cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship to a strategic partnership of cooperation,\u201d reads the Nepal-China joint statement.<\/p>\n

      Nepal-China Hydropower Projects<\/h3>\n

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      Nepal and China have agreed to jointly construct two reservoir-type hydroelectricity projects in Nepal in the government-to-government partnership model.<\/p>\n

      The cost of the projects is estimated to be above NPR 200 billion and will be taken up by the Nepal Government-owned Hydroelectricity Investment and Development Company Ltd and China\u2019s \u2018Power China\u2018.<\/p>\n

      Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Barsha Man Pun informed that the projects will be the 762 mw-Tamor Project and the 157 MW-Madikhola Project located in Province 5.<\/p>\n

      The two companies have already proposed a few models to the Investment Board \u2013 Nepal for the construction of the projects. This the first time that Nepal and China have signed an MoU to construct projects through the two countries\u2019 government firms.<\/p>\n

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      Chinese President Xi Jinping Visit to Nepal – Exclusive Highlights (Video)<\/h3>\n