KATHMANDU: Following continuous diplomatic efforts by the Government of Nepal, most of the border crossings with trade points to China are reopening for service today.

This includes the Kimathangka transit in Sankhuwasabha.

The border crossings were shut down by the Chinese government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

They are being reopened after four years of negotiations and agreements between the high political leaderships of Nepal and China.

A total of 14 border trade points in the northern region, including Kimathangka, have remained closed for the past four years.

An agreement to gradually open all trade points in the Nepal-China border region was reached during Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayankaji Shrestha’s official visit to China last April.

The Rasuwagadhi-Kerung, Tatopani-Jhangmu, Yari-Puran, and Nechung-Lichi (Korala) trade points have already resumed operations.

The Tiptala border crossing in Taplejung also resumed operations on Friday.

Today, a delegation led by DPM and Foreign Minister Shrestha, including the Chief Minister of Koshi Province Hikmat Kumar Karki, joint secretaries from the Ministries of Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs, the Chief District Officer, and high-ranking officials from security agencies, will visit Kimathangka to participate in the reopening ceremony of all 14 trade points on the Nepal-China border, including Kimathangka.

Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha will be joined by Vice President of China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, Silang Nima, to announce the reopening of the trade points, including Kimathangka-Chentang, during a ceremony later today.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared that the Chinese side will open seven different border crossings today, with the remaining crossings to be opened gradually.

The border crossings with Darchula, Dolpa, Mustang, Gorkha, Dolakha, Taplejung, and Sankhuwasabha districts will be opened from today.