Shrestha, who is currently in China for inaugurating Nepal Cultural Festival organized by Nepali Embassy in Beijing, is also scheduled to hold meeting with Communist Party of China (CPC) Standing Committee member, Zhou Yongkang, on Wednesday.[break]
According to Nepali ambassador to China Mahesh Maskey, the meeting between Shrestha and Yang focused mainly on reviewing the progress made in the implementation of the agreement reached between Nepal and China during the brief visit of Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao in January. Envoy Maskey, Joint Secretary Ambika Luintel and Nepali embassy officials were present at the meeting between Shrestha and Yang.
Talking to Republica, Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha said Chinese side has agreed to expedite construction of Pokhara airport after further negotiations. “There has been an understanding to send a study team of Chinese government and Exim Bank to Nepal soon to arrange concessional loan under a new arrangement,” he said.
Shrestha said Nepal and China also agreed to hold further discussions to finalize Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA).
The meeting with Yang also dwelled on Chinese assistance for the mid-hills highway and extending Chinese railway link, which has already reached Tibet, to Nepal. Minister Shrestha had held separate meeting with Chinese investors.
Among other things, China has agreed to send 50 Chinese youths to Nepal as a part of youth exchange program next year. “China has also pledged assistance to give continuity to the Nepal cultural festival,” said envoy Maskey.
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