In a meeting with Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa on Thursday, the Chinese VP recalled the earlier Chinese assistance of 1000 metric-ton fuel and discussed about the possibility for more support.
Chinese VP welcomed Nepali delegation led by DPM Thapa at the Great Hall in Beijing and discussed bilateral relations for one hour and 45 minutes. Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Wu Chuntai was present during the meeting. According to a Nepali delegation member, Minister for Law and Justice Agni Kharel, both sides held an open discussion about the Nepal-China relations.
Nepali delegation is scheduled to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi later. According to Nepal's Ambassador to China, Mahesh Maskey, Nepal's delegation requested for tax exemption on fuels with VP Li as Nepal wants a commercial agreement for petroleum supply. This is the first time that Nepal has requested China at the highest political level for tax exemption after signing a memorandum of understanding for petroleum supply with China, following India's undeclared blockade on Nepal.
"China could provide more fuel as assistance to Nepal to help resolve current crisis, but Nepali delegation, this time, has clearly requested for tax exemption in fuel purchase from China," said Ambassador Maskey.
Following the request from Nepali side, Chinese VP Li said that China has been providing support to Nepal and will continue to do so.
A press release issued by the Nepali Embassy in Beijing on Thursday stated that VP Li has hinted of providing more assistance to Nepal. "VP Li has given a message that China is ready to provide petroleum products to Nepal with commercial purpose by resolving the challenges of importing fuel via treacherous roads and also consider the request for tax exemption," said a Nepali official. "The meeting with Chinese foreign minister on Friday could give a breakthrough," the official added.
Nepali delegation has also requested VP Li for making arrangements to reopen Tatopani check point soon and to extend the railways from Kerung to Nepal.
Nepali side also brought up the subject of a transit facility via China with the Chinese VP. "Nepal now wants transit facility from not only India but also from China," said Maskey.
Hong Lei, the spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry, said that both the countries have given priority to the first high-level visit from Nepal after the promulgation of Nepal's constitution and the formation of Oli government.
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