KATHMANDU, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) — The establishment of a China-Nepal-India economic corridor will help secure economic prosperity of the entire Asian region through enhancing cooperation on trade, tourism, energy and connectivity, experts said here on Wednesday.
Speaking at a one-day workshop organized by China Study Center on “China-Nepal-India Economic Corridor: Feasibility and Approaches,” experts highlighted the potential mutual economic benefits for the three neighboring countries and the entire Asia region after establishing the economic corridor.
Ji Zhiye, President of China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), a think tank under China’s State Council, said that the trilateral cooperation among China, Nepal and India can be enhanced through Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China.
“China wants to enhance economic cooperation with neighboring countries such as India, Nepal, through Belt and Road Initiative which is aimed at creating a win-win situation for economic cooperation between China and other countries,” Ji said.
Nepalese former Foreign Minister Bhesh Bahadur Thapa, who is currently a coordinator from the Nepali side in the India-NepalEminent Persons Group, said that China and India have played significant roles in global stage in 21st century.
“The concept of establishing China-Nepal-India economic corridor is now gaining momentum. Establishment of such corridor will promote people-to-people and institution-to-institution contacts of the three neighbouring countries. This is more important to Nepal which is sandwiched between the two emerging countries,” said Thapa.
Experts were of view that the economic corridor will bring benefit to all three countries and will promote the region more vibrant as a economic and commercial zone.
Saying that the 21st century belongs to Asia, the economic and foreign affairs experts opined that Trans-Himalayan Connectivity proposed by China is a landmark step for the shared economic prosperity of people in the Asia region.
Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Wu Chuntai, said that the China-Nepal-India Economic Corridor is not a sole strategy of China, but it’s for creating win-win
cooperation among the three countries.
“Himalayas are not barrier but in fact they are linkages for enhancing connectivity,” said the ambassador.
Reiterating the support provided by China in Nepalese roads, major airports and other mega projects, Wu said that China is ready to assist in the development of neighboring countries.
On the occasion, Nepalese former ministers and ambassadors dwelt over the feasibility, approach and challenges of the economic corridor.
Former Chief Secretary of Nepal Leela Mani Paudyal, said thatNepal can serve as a bridge between China and India, the two emerging economies of the world.
“China has made tremendous progress on the economic front while India and Nepal need foreign investment in order to develop their infrastructure,” said Paudyal, adding that the trilateral partnership will create win-win cooperation among the three countries to enhance economy.
Nepalese Infrastructure expert Surya Raj Acharya stressed on extension of Chinese railway to Kathmandu which is decided to extend to Kerung of Tibetan Autonomous Region of China from Xigatse.
“Geography is not a barrier to extend railways in this region,” said Acharya, adding that the Qinghai-Tibet Railway will change the entire structure of the Himalayan region after it is expanded to Indian northern states via Nepal.