Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli departed for Beijing today, leading an 87-member delegation on an official visit to China. Invited by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, the delegation is scheduled to return by December 20. The delegation includes Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister Vishnu Prasad Rimal, Economic and Development Advisor Dr. Yuvaraj Khatiwada, Members of Parliament, senior government officials, private sector representatives, and media personnel.

In agreement with the ruling coalition partner, the Nepali Congress, Prime Minister Oli is set to sign agreements on various projects during his visit. The Nepali Congress has consented to a new framework for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has encouraged Prime Minister Oli.

A joint task force from the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) has drafted a document titled ‘Framework for BRI Cooperation.’ This draft was submitted to the Chinese side on Friday for discussion. Although a response from China is pending, Prime Minister Oli remains optimistic about a positive outcome.

The Nepali Congress has removed several politically and strategically significant proposals from the original Chinese draft, making substantial changes. The revised draft identifies specific areas for cooperation and lists projects under the BRI framework where China is expected to invest.

The new draft proposes seeking Chinese financial assistance and cooperation for various projects under different clusters. Financial and investment modalities for each project will be determined after selection. Under the ‘Infrastructure, Urban Development, and Sports’ cluster, the Nepali side has proposed the Tokha-Chhahare-Bidur Highway as a strategic route for Nepal-China trade. The proposal includes upgrading the road from Kathmandu, Samakhushi to Chhahare and then to Bidur, facilitating international trade between Kathmandu, Nuwakot, and Rasuwagadhi with China.

As part of the Koshi Corridor, projects like the Hilsa-Simikot Road, Kimathangka-Khandbari Road, and Kimathangka Bridge are also on the agenda. This corridor aims to connect Nepal to Tibet’s Sigatse and provide China with a shorter route.

The Hilsa-Simikot Road, a decade-old concept, is now gaining momentum. The 146-kilometer road will connect Humla’s Hilsa to Nepal’s border with China at Salisalla.

Both sides plan to sign a memorandum of understanding for the construction of the Jilong/Kerung-Kathmandu cross-border railway, with a feasibility study funded by China.

The Pod-Way project, connecting Kathmandu and Hetauda with an environmentally friendly and efficient transportation system, is also on the list. Additionally, the construction of a high-tech auditorium at Dhangadhi’s Amar Singh College, which has been delayed, is proposed.

In the energy cluster, Nepal has proposed constructing a 220 kV Jilong-Kerung-Rasuwagadhi-Chilime cross-border transmission line to establish direct electricity connectivity between Nepal and China. Another project aims to upgrade the Kathmandu Valley transmission line to address the increasing electricity load demand.

Under the education and health cluster, the Nepali side has proposed the construction of the Madan Bhandari Science and Technology University, aiming to provide quality education in science and technology and develop internationally competent technical professionals. A proposal to establish a science museum is also included.

In the industrial and commercial infrastructure cluster, the much-discussed China-Nepal Friendship Park and the Jhapa Sports and Athletic Complex are proposed for joint development. These 12 projects are part of the proposed BRI cooperation framework.