POKHARA: The Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, reaffirmed his stance, emphasizing that the Pokhara International Airport falls within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project.

Speaking at a program held following the successful landing of the first international commercial aircraft at Pokhara International Airport on Wednesday morning, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song reiterated his position, emphasizing that the airport is part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project.

The first international commercial plane landed at Pokhara International Airport today (Wednesday).

The narrow-body A319 of Sichuan Airlines from Chengdu, China, carrying passengers, including athletes participating in the Nepal China Dragon Boat Race Festival to be held on June 23 and 25 at Phewa Lake in Pokhara, landed at Pokhara International Airport at 9:06 am today.

It should be noted that during the inauguration of the Pokhara International Airport on January 1, 2023, Chinese Ambassador Chen Song stated that the airport had been constructed as part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project.

Ambassador Song stated, “The Pokhara International Airport, which commenced in January 2023, was planned and constructed with the assistance of the Chinese government. It was built by Chinese engineers. Today, we have achieved a significant milestone with the successful landing of an international flight at Pokhara International Airport. This achievement falls within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project.”

Construction of the airport commenced on August 2, 2016, following an agreement between the Nepalese government and a Chinese state-owned contractor company.

In 2072 BS, the Nepalese government signed an agreement with China’s Exim Bank, securing a loan of 1.37 billion Chinese yuan for the construction of the airport.