China and Nepal Reopen Traditional Border Trade Points
Beijing, The Gulf Observer: China and Nepal have reopened their traditional border trade points, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral economic and trade relations. The reopening ceremony was held on Saturday in Zhentang Township, located on the China-Nepal border within the city of Xigaze, in southwest China’s Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region.
At the Zhentang trade point, 110 Chinese merchants and 47 Nepalese merchants engaged in transactions involving over 50 types of goods. These goods included daily necessities, building materials, food and beverages, agricultural products, and Nepalese handicrafts.
In addition to Zhentang, trade activities also resumed at other traditional sites in counties such as Zhongba, Saga, Gyirong, and Nyalam.
Xigaze is a crucial city for China’s opening-up to South Asia, as it borders India, Nepal, and Bhutan, and hosts five trade land ports. Feng Xuecheng, director of the municipal commerce bureau, emphasized the importance of traditional border trade in supporting the livelihoods of border residents and fostering the development and prosperity of border areas.
“Traditional border trade has long supported the livelihoods of border residents and played a significant role in fostering the development and prosperity of border areas,” Feng stated. “We plan to continuously improve border trade infrastructure and promote further economic and trade exchanges between China and Nepal.”
Last year, Xizang traded with 175 countries and regions. Its imports from and exports to Nepal, its largest trading partner, totaled approximately 2.77 billion yuan (about 389.5 million U.S. dollars), reflecting a 77.2 percent year-on-year increase, according to the customs bureau in Lhasa, the regional capital.
The reopening of these traditional trade points signifies a renewed commitment to enhancing bilateral trade, benefiting the economies of both nations and promoting the welfare of their border communities.
