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`China positive on linking Tibet with Lumbini`
According to sources, Wen told Bhattarai Beijing wants to see strong relations between Nepal and India.
Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, during a meeting with
his Nepalese counterpart Baburam Bhattarai here yesterday,
said Beijing would consider Nepal`s request as a "serious
matter".
China is currently engaged in constructing a railway line
linking the mainland to Khasa -- on the Sino-Nepal border --
around 110-km east of Kathmandu.
Shrestha, who also holds the Foreign Affairs portfolio,
said Wen was requested to extend the Chinese rail network upto
Kathmandu and also build a domestic railway line within Nepal
to connect Lumbini.
"As China has already formulated a plan to extend its railway line upto China-Nepal border, there is the possibility of extending it within the Nepalese land as per the request made by the Nepal government and we will consider this as a serious matter," Wen was quoted as saying by Shrestha.
The minister said Nepal has also requested Wen to provide financial assistance, some in the form of grants and others in the form of soft loan, for constructing hydropower projects and establishing Special Economic Zones within the country to speed up economic development.
Wen took a positive note to the demands, he said.
According to sources close to the Chinese Premier, Wen
told Bhattarai during the meeting that Beijing wants to see
strong relations between Nepal and India.
PTI