KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel met with Chen Xiaodong, Chairman of China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), for discussions at the Ministry of Finance.

The talks focused on bilateral relations, ongoing and upcoming development projects supported by China. Following the bilateral meeting, four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed.

These include a project for bone marrow transplantation facility construction at BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Bharatpur, and a feasibility study on expanding the Civil Service Hospital.

The agreements were signed by Nepal’s Finance Secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyay and CIDCA Chairman Chen Xiaodong.

The bone marrow cancer treatment center will cover 1,834 square meters and will be equipped with necessary machinery, expected to significantly improve cancer treatment in Nepal.

The Civil Service Hospital expansion feasibility study will assess opportunities for enhanced health services. These initiatives aim to strengthen Nepal’s healthcare system.

Another MoU focuses on human resource development, enabling 1,270 Nepalese government officials to participate in bilateral and multilateral seminars organized by various Chinese institutions, thereby enhancing capacity building.

A feasibility study agreement for constructing the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung cross-border transmission line was signed by Nepal Electricity Authority Managing Director Hitendra Dev Shakya and CIDCA Chairman Chen Xiaodong, paving the way for advancing Nepal-China electricity trade.

Finance Minister Paudel expressed gratitude to the Chinese delegation for visiting Nepal, emphasizing that such high-level visits will elevate bilateral ties.

Finance Secretary Upadhyay highlighted the significance of Nepal-China relations and anticipated that the signed projects would positively impact Nepal’s health sector, human resource development, and cross-border electricity trade.

China has committed to assisting Nepal in reconstructing physical infrastructure damaged by floods in Rasuwa district.

CIDCA Chairman Chen Xiaodong assured support for reconstruction efforts and streamlined customs procedures.
He also thanked Nepal for its active rescue and missing persons search operations following the floods.

Minister Paudel reaffirmed that post-disaster reconstruction remains a top priority for Nepal and appreciated China’s promptness, concern, and commitment to reconstruction efforts.