A joint team of China's Armed Police Force and Nepal Army opened the Araniko Highway on Wednesday which was disrupted following a landslide that occurred right after the April 25 quake.

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Nepal and China, the team had started reopening the disrupted Highway, the major trading route between the two countries, since Saturday but could complete the task by Wednesday only.

The Chinese Embassy in Nepal organised a programme here on Thursday on the occasion of formal resumption of the Highway.

Speaking at the programme, Minister for Foreign Affairs Mahendra Bahadur Pandey expressed his confidence that the resumption of the Highway, which is of strategic importance, would help increase the mutual trade.

Minister Pandey thanked the Government of China for lending support at the trying times like this.

"China is our reliable development partner. China's contribution towards Nepal’s development will ever be remembered," he said adding that China's immediate help in the realms rescue and relief operation during the earthquake was memorable.

Sharing that China had been contributing in every possible way towards the development of Nepal, Chinese Ambassdor to Nepal, Wu Chuntai reaffirmed his commitment to continue support to Nepal in the days ahead.

Chinese envoy Chuntai shared that the April 25 quake had also caused damages in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. He further said that it was the duty of China to extend a helping hand to its neighbor during the tough times.

The Chinese envoy expressed his thankfulness to the government of Nepal, the Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force and locals for their support in bringing the disrupted road into operation.

Also, speaking at the programme, China's Armed Police Force Commander Fu Ling said that the joint team had succeeded to clear the blockades at the 36 kilometres stretch of the Highway, an embodiment of friendship between Nepal and China, after working for around eight hours a day.

Meanwhile, speaking in a press conference after the programme, Foreign Minister Pandey shared that the Chinese government had been requested for their support for the reconstruction of the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung Highway, an alternative trade route of the Araniko Highway.

Chinese envoy Wu, in response, shared that China will also lend its support in the maintainance of the Pokhara-Baglung Road as well. He added that China had prioritised the development of the physical infrastructure for education and health sector in Nepal.

Similarly, stating that the monsoon rain could trigger another landslide in the Araniko Highway anytime, Chinese Commander Fu committed that the Chinese side will collaborate with the security bodies of Nepal for opening the road at such times.