Kathmandu, Nepal, December 5, 2024: Nepal and China signed the 'Belt and Road Initiative' (BRI) Cooperation Framework on Wednesday. Foreign Secretary Amrit Rai and Vice Chairman of China's Development and Reform Commission Liu Sushe signed the BRI Cooperation Framework in Beijing. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli led delegation is now in China for official visit.
The cooperation framework includes the Tokha-Chhahare tunnel, Hilsa-Simikot Road Project, Kimathanka-Khandbari road and bridge, Geelong-Kerung-Kathmandu Cross Border Railway, Amargarhi City Hall at Dadeldhura, Geelong-Kerung-Rasuwagadhi Chilime 220kV cross-border transmission line, Madan Bhandari University, Kathmandu Scientific Centre and Science Museum, and China-Nepal Industrial Friendship Park in Damak and Jhapa Sports and Athletics Complex.
The projects mentioned in the 'BRI Cooperation Framework' signed by officials from both countries were from the aid assistance financing. The officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) have a said that the signing in the BRI framework has clearly mentioned that all the projects under the BRI will be carried out through the 'Aid' framework. However, the details yet to made public.
The ruling allies, particularly the ruling head CPN UML and the Nepali Congress, the major coalition partner of the incumbent government, were divided over the issue of implementing the BRI in Nepal. Nepali Congress had made a stand that Nepal should not take on additional loans from China while UML was in favor of taking loan. In the last, however, both the parties had reached in an agreement to accept the BRI projects under aid framework.
