Kathmandu: China’s Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, met Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development, Kulman Ghising, on Wednesday at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Singha Durbar.
Ambassador Chen congratulated Minister Ghising on his appointment and wished him a successful tenure. The meeting focused on strengthening Nepal-China cooperation in infrastructure and energy sectors, including road and power transmission connectivity, progress on projects contracted to Chinese construction firms, and Chinese investment in Nepal.
Minister Ghising highlighted the need for Chinese support in ensuring the permanent operation of key cross-border roads, such as the Kathmandu-Kodari (Araniko) and Syaprubensi-Rasuwagadhi routes, which face risks from landslides and difficult terrain. He also urged the immediate commencement of the Kalanki-Basundhara section under the Kathmandu Valley Ring Road expansion, support for hydropower projects in the Arun River Corridor, the Kimathanka inter-country transmission line, and acceleration of the Narayanghat-Butwal and Muglin-Pokhara road expansions. He expressed concerns over delays in the Kamala-Kanchanpur project contracted to a Chinese company.
Ambassador Chen reaffirmed China’s readiness to support Nepal’s priority infrastructure and energy initiatives.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Keshav Kumar Sharma, Chief of Development Assistance Coordination and Quality Division Sushil Babu Dhakal, Director General of the Department of Roads Vijay Jaishi, and Under-Secretary of the Northeast Asia Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Manahari Dangal, among others.
