Lhasa: The 13th Meeting of the Nepal-China’s Xizang Economic and Trade Facilitation Committee (NXTFC) was held in Lhasa on June 17-18, 2025, ushering in a new era in the long-standing trade relationship between the Xizang Autonomous Region (XAR) of China and Nepal.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the Nepali delegation was headed by Mr. Bipeen Acharya, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, and was welcomed by Co-host Mr. Wang Qichun, Deputy Secretary-General of the People’s Government of XAR. The meeting exuded mutual respect and shared objectives, as highlighted by the Consulate General of Nepal in Lhasa.
A wide range of efforts to improve economic ties were discussed at the meeting. The Nepali side focused on upgrading key infrastructure, including the Araniko Highway and trade hubs like Mustang (Korala), Olangchung Gola, and Kimathanka.
In order to address payment difficulties, both sides discussed the possibilities of financial cooperation between Nepal and XAR of PRC. Renaming China’s Tibet-Nepal Economic and Trade Fair as the “China’s Xizang-Nepal Economic, Trade and Investment Expo” and implementing electronic border passes are some examples of creative ideas that highlight the discussions’ forward-thinking bent.
The 13th NXTFC meeting was held in a friendly and cooperative atmosphere, and it established a solid basis for future collaboration. With dates to be negotiated diplomatically, both parties agreed to hold the 14th meeting in Kathmandu.
The Nepali side emphasized the close ties forged over more than 70 years of diplomatic relations and Nepal’s unwavering commitment to the One-China Principle.
In the afternoon, the Nepali delegation, headed by Mr. Acharya, was treated to a state banquet hosted by Mr. Zhao Peng, Vice Chairman of the People’s Government of Tibet.
Senior officials from the Consulate General of Nepal in Lhasa, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development made up the Nepali delegation. The Chinese delegation comprised senior officials from the Department of Commerce, the Foreign Affairs Office, China Customs, and other concerned agencies of China’s XAR.