NPC Vice-Chair Shrestha holds talks with his Chinese counterpart

The National Planning Commission (NPC) Vice Chairman,Dr Min Bahadur Shrestha  and Mr Cong Liang, the Vice Chair of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of China, have held a meeting at the NDRC office in Beijing today.

The NPC vice-chair is currently on a visit to China. During the meeting, an understanding has been reached to expedite those programmes, among the ones on which the two bodies had agreed upon in 2018 and 2019, which have not been completed.

On the occasion, extensive discussions were held on the works to be carried out on behalf of the Government of Nepal and the government of China, according to the NPC. Discussions were also held on sharing experience from NDRC and providing technical assistance in the coming days in the context of Nepal's formulating the upcoming 16th Plan.

Vice Chairman Shrestha extended an invitation to the NDRC Vice Chair Liang to visit Nepal at his convenient time.

Known as the State Planning Commission before this, this Chinese agency is now called the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) brought by the NDRC is in implementation phase at present.

Meeting with Chinese Deputy Minister for Development

Similarly, NPC Vice Chairman Shrestha had a meeting with Mr Deng Boging, Deputy Minister of the China International Development Agency (CIDA) in Beijing today. CIDA is the organizer of the 'Forum on Global Action for Shared Development' which is underway in the Chinese capital.

CIDA is the Chinese government's agency that looks after works related to international assistance.

During the meeting, views were exchanged on the progress of work of various programmes and projects to be undertaken with assistance which the Chinese government has announced for Nepal, the NPC stated.

Likewise, discussions were held during the meeting on the timely completion of the preparatory works that need to be carried out by both sides for expediting the major projects related to connectivity that had been agreed upon before.

Ambassador of Nepal to China Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, senior officials of the Embassy of Nepal and members of the delegation and the high officials of the Government of China were present during both meetings.

The NPC Vice Chairman is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Vice President of China, Han Zheng later today.

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