Nepal and China on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for establishing a dialogue mechanism on energy cooperation, furthering the commitment of enhancing cooperation and creating an avenue for collaboration in the sector. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Krishna Bahadur Mahara was present during the signing by officials from the two countries at the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing. 

“The understanding will pave the way for expanding cooperation between respective agencies of the two countries in the development of power generation,” said Mahara after the signing ceremony. “It will also help promote joint investment in feasibility study of cross-border transmission lines among others.” Foreign Minister Mahara also held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Thursday. “Nepal and China have made significant strides in the recent past and have agreed to seize the available opportunities to take the bilateral relations to a new height,” Mahara said during the meeting. 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang said Beijing is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with Nepal to deepen cooperation in key areas such as connectivity, post-disaster reconstruction, trade and investment, energy and tourism. 

Wang also hailed the relationship between the two countries, saying that both the sides have maintained mutual trust and that relationship of the two countries is rooted in the hearts of the people. 

Mahara also called on Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi separately in Zhongnanhai Leadership Compound.