Nepal and China signed on the protocol of transit treaty in Beijing on Monday.
Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi signed on the protocol in presence of President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Chinese President Xi Jinping during Bhandari's ongoing visit of China to participate in the second summit of the Belt and Road Initiative.
The two countries had signed the transit treaty three years ago and had concluded the protocol in September 2018.
Nepal can use four ports and three dry ports in China for international trade as per the protocol ending the dependence on India for international trade.
President Bhandari also held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People. She congratulated China on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and said the extraordinary achievements made by the Chinese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China are admirable, a press statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry read.
"China is a true friend of Nepal. The two countries have close historical, geographical and cultural ties and both pursue the five principles of peaceful coexistence," the statement quoted President Bhandari as saying. "China’s prosperity and stability are also opportunities for Nepal. Nepal adheres to the one-China policy and will not allow any force to use Nepali territory to engage in any activities against China," she stressed.
Xi Jinping pointed out that China is connected with Nepal's mountains and rivers. The two countries have been friendly for generations and the two peoples share their hearts and minds, according to the statement.
The statement adds that China side attaches great importance to the development of Sino-Nepali relations, supports the Nepali side in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and exploring development paths suited to its own national conditions. It also appreciates the long-standing support of the Nepal in matters involving China's core interests and major concerns.
