Kathmandu: Nepal has taken a major step toward deepening energy cooperation with China after the Cabinet approved a formal response letter to Beijing for the implementation of the proposed Chilime–Kerung cross-border transmission line project.
The decision was made during Monday’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Balen Shah at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar.
The move is expected to advance Nepal’s long-term goal of establishing a cross-border electricity transmission network with China, following similar power connectivity arrangements with India and Bangladesh. Officials believe the project could eventually pave the way for exporting Nepali electricity to China.
The foundation for the project was laid during former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s visit to China, when both sides agreed to construct the Rasuwagadhi–Kerung 220 kV cross-border transmission line.
Under that agreement, the Chinese government will build an approximately 16-kilometre transmission line connecting Chilime in Rasuwa district to Gyirong in Tibet.
In parallel, feasibility studies are also underway for another transmission corridor that would link Nepal and China through Kimathanka in Sankhuwasabha district.
The government has recently accelerated efforts to move forward with infrastructure and development projects linked to the Belt and Road Initiative framework. Nepal and China signed a memorandum of understanding on the BRI in 2017, followed by a project implementation framework agreement in 2024.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a meeting of the Nepal–China Cooperation Program and Project Facilitation Mechanism is scheduled for June 2.
The meeting will be led on Nepal’s side by Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai and on China’s side by Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming.
Officials say the June 2 meeting will conduct a detailed review of progress on 10 major projects, including the Chilime–Rasuwagadhi–Kerung 220 kV transmission line.
Following the mechanism meeting, preparations are also underway for the 17th meeting of the Nepal-China Joint Consultation Mechanism to be held in China, where Foreign Secretary Rai is expected to participate.
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