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Passenger movement through the Tatopani border point in Sindhupalchowk district bordering China has resumed from today, after a hiatus of eight years.

Locals of Sindhupalchowk obtaining a permit from the Tatopani-based Immigration Office set out towards China crossing the 'Miteri Pul' (Friendship Bridge) at Liping, the local market leading up to the Miteri Pul after security clearance from Chinese security personnel.

The locals' team led by lawmaker Madhav Sapkota received a warm welcome from the Chinese people.

Sapkota, who reached the bordering point with people's representatives from the Tatopani area, officials from the Immigration Office this morning, said that the border point is fully open from today.

The border point that remained closed since the Gorkha Earthquake in 2015, however, saw movement of goods-carrying vehicles since May 1 this year. 

The transit point has been opened for the people’s movement, said CDO of Sindhupalchowk, Ramesh Neupane, after raising the issue repeatedly in the Parliament and subsequent discussions from Nepali side with the China side.

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chan Song called on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Friday. The Chinese Ambassador had reached Baluwatar to meet the Prime Minister this morning.

At a time when the preparations are going on for the China visit, Ambassador Chan discussed possible agendas after meeting Prime Minister Dahal.

According to a source, the duo held a serious discussion for around one hour about the China visit.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Dahal and Ambassador Chan also discussed the issue about taking the BRI Project ahead.

The Chinese government has lobbied the Nepal government to build three industrial parks under the BRI Project.

All the issues to be raised during the visit have only been discussed, an official at the Prime Minister’s Office said, adding, “The agendas have not been finalized. But there is pressure from China to take the BRI Project ahead.”

Prime Minister Dahal has also expressed his concern with Ambassador Chan over the map made public recently by China, a source said.

China has also included the maps of some neighboring countries in its map made public recently.

But China has included the old map of Nepal while releasing its map.

The Chinese map released on Monday has included Nepal’s old map instead of the pointed spur.

China’s move has been widely criticized in Nepal.

While amending the Constitution on June 13, 2030, the Parliament had allowed to release the pointed spur of Nepal map by including Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh.

All the political parties had become united to amend the Constitution at that time.

Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah had also canceled his scheduled five-day visit to China saying that the pointed spur map of Nepal was not given the importance.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal will leave for China from New York in the United States on September 23.

The Prime Minister is leaving for the United States to take part in the United Nations General Assembly.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the government has accorded top priorities to the accomplishments of social justice, good governance and prosperity goals.

In his message of best wishes on the occasion of the Gaijatra and Janai Purnima (Rakshabandhan) festival today, the Prime Minister said the government is committed to combating corruption, misconduct and mismanagement to pave the way for establishing good governance.

"The government is making efforts to bring a quality change among the lives of citizens," the head of the government said, adding that its focus was on reviving the economy affected by pandemic, global geopolitical crisis and internal limitations for managerial skills.

In the message, he said since ancient times, Nepal has remained a symbol of religious tolerance, social harmony, and unity among various castes, languages, cultures, and civilizations, adding that such diversities were the reasons for its unique identity and self-esteem for the Nepalis.

He expressed his hope that the festival would inspire all the Nepalis to realize the needs for nation building and for promoting family happiness, social goodwill, and unity.

Furthermore, he extended his wishes for joy, peace, prosperity, and sustained progress for all Nepalis within the country and abroad on the occasion of this festival.

The government has said that it would adopt a diplomatic channel to talk about the map issue with China.

China on Aug 28 released the 2023 edition of the standard map of China, which continues to show the entire State of Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai Chin region with China’s border, provoking India. India has reacted furiously to the map.

In a separate context, China, which shares its border with Nepal, has demonstrated Nepal’s old map. Nepal adopted a new political map in 2020 incorporating the Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura. The Chinese move, according to experts, indicates that China is yet to accept Nepal’s new political map. Experts are suggesting the government take up this issue with China diplomatically.

On Wednesday, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma said the government would adopt a diplomatic channel to talk about the map China released recently. During a news conference, Minister Sharma who is also the spokesperson for the government said, "Our official map is pointed at the border and was passed by parliament unanimously. We need to talk through a diplomatic channel in which context China made its map public." 

In 2015, India and China had agreed to expand the border trade at Nathu La, Lipulekh Pass and Shipki La without consultations with Nepal. Later, Nepal’s government strongly reacted to the agreement writing diplomatic notes to both India and China. 

Meanwhile, India has lodged a strong protest through the diplomatic channels with the Chinese side on the new map.