Chinese Defence Minister General Chang Wanquan has assured that he would take up the issue of reopening of Tatopani border, a major trading point between Nepal and China, with his government. Infrastructure at Tatopani trading point and majority parts of the Araniko Highway were destroyed by the April 2015 quake, as a result trade between Nepal and China through Tatopani has come to a halt since. During a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Bimalendra Nidhi on Friday, General Chang said he would discuss the matter with concerned authorities back home. Gen Chang, who arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday on a three-day visit, is returning home on Saturday. This is the first visit by a Chinese defence minister to Nepal in 15 years. During the meeting, DPM Nidhi had drawn the attention of the visiting Chinese minister to the impact of closure of trade through the Nepal-China border, the biggest trading point between the two countries with around 15 percent of total trade taking place via the route. “The Chinese government attaches importance to the role of Tatopani border for trade between Nepal and China,” a statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs issued after the meeting between Nidhi and Chang reads. During the meeting, Nidhi reiterated that Nepal sticks to its One-China policy and that Nepal will not allow any anti-Chinese activities on her soil. Earlier on Friday, Gen Chang met Chief of Army Staff Gen Rajendra Chhetri at the Army Headquarters. The duo discussed Chinese support to the Nepal Army. -
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