China Allows Nepal Access to Ports, Ending Dependence on India.

China on Friday, 6 September, agreed to allow Nepal to use four of its seaports and three land ports for third-country trade reducing the landlocked country's dependence on India to conduct international commerce.

Nepal will be able to access Shenzen, Lianyungang, Zhanjiang and Tianjin, the latter being the nearest seaport at a distance of around 3,300 km from the Nepalese border, according to foreign ministry sources.

Similarly, Nepal has been allowed to use Lanzhou, Lhasa and Xigatse land ports (dry ports) as well. This will provide alternative routes for Nepal to carry out international trade. Chinese authorities will provide permits to trucks and containers ferrying Nepal-bound cargo to and from Xigatse in Tibet, as per the new arrangement.

Joint secretary Sainju and Director General of the Transport Department of China, Wang Suiping, signed the agreement on Friday morning. It has been agreed that the protocol will be exchanged during upcoming high-level visits between the two countries.