Once Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli concludes his visit to India, most likely in February, he will fly to Beijing, for which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already started preparations.

MoFA has sought detailed proposals from various ministries on a number of issues related to Nepal-China cooperation.

As of now, the MoFA is doing preparations targeting a visit by PM Oli to China in late March.

Of the proposals that are on the table, a high-voltage transmission line between Nepal and China, cross-country special economic zone and construction of inter-country petroleum pipeline are priority issues. During his China visit, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa had made these

proposals to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

There has been a special stress from the Chinese side for developing the abundant and untapped hydropower

of Nepal, said an official privy to the preparations of the visit, adding that some of

the proposals tabled by the Nepali and Chinese sides could also materialise during PM Oli’s visit.

According to officials, the Ministry of Energy has been  asked to provide a proposal of one mega-hydro project as the Chinese side had expressed

its interest to invest in Nepal’s hydropower sector.

As per the Chinese desire, we have asked the Ministry of Energy to provide details of a project-400 megawatt or bigger—that China can finance, but we are still waiting for a formal proposal, said officials.

Similarly, China has also expressed interest to build a high-voltage transmission line between Kathmandu and Kerung, and for this, another proposal has been sought from the Ministry of Energy.

A detailed proposal has been sought from the Ministry of Home Affairs on ways to open the Araniko Highway which has been obstructed since the April 25 earthquake.

Other proposals with China include finalising a deal to import petroleum products from the northern neighbour, completing Nepal-China Trade and Transit Treaty, holding Free Trade Agreement, increasing number of Nepali tradable and exportable items to China.