Zhu, Nepalese business leaders discuss economic links

0 Comments | Asian Political News, May 21, 2001

KATHMANDU, May 15 Kyodo

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji met Nepalese business and trade leaders Tuesday to discuss bilateral economic links, officials said.

Nepal runs a massive trade deficit with China as its imports from China are worth about $160 million annually while its exports to China are less than $1 million.

Nepal hopes to narrow the deficit by receiving more Chinese tourists, which should be helped by China's nod Monday to a Nepalese consulate in Shanghai to facilitate visas for Chinese tourists.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said development of the western region of China, particularly a proposed rail link between China and the Tibetan capital Lhasa, would be beneficial to the Nepalese economy.

China has also agreed to Nepal's request for opening two more border points as routes to help trade between Nepal and Tibet.

Business sources said the Nepalese side was also keen to secure greater Chinese participation in joint industrial ventures.

''As a close neighbor and good friend, Nepal has every reason to be happy at the level of progress achieved by China, which is largely due to the vision of her leaders and the hard work of the great Chinese people,'' Koirala said at a banquet Monday night.

Reiterating Nepal's one-China policy, he said the Himalayan kingdom is firm in its commitment not to allow Nepalese soil to be used against China.

Zhu said age-old friendly relations existing between China and Nepal have never faced any problem and the relations would further deepen in the new millennium.

The Chinese premier will call on King Birendra and will have some sightseeing before departing for the Maldives on Wednesday.

The other destinations on his current itinerary are Sri Lanka and Thailand.