Between China and Nepal, there are four officially open land border crossings: Zhongmu-Kodari, Jilong-Rhesowa (a port under construction, temporarily destroyed), Pulan-Yali, and Rizhi-Naiqiong. With the bridge and road of the Jilong border crossing being washed away by a mudslide, it is difficult to restore in the short term, requiring the reconstruction of roads and bridges, so the Zhongmu border crossing becomes the main alternative passage. The two border crossings closest to the capital of Nepal are Jilong and Zhongmu.
The Jilong border crossing was destroyed in early July, and it is estimated to take several months to restore. Then the Zhongmu border crossing will bear most of the transportation burden! The Zhongmu border crossing once accounted for more than half of China's trade with Nepal. After the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, it was closed, and it was reopened on September 1, 2023; it has been continuously under reconstruction and upgrading. Recently, part of the road at the Zhongmu border crossing was also washed away by floods, but it was later repaired and put into use!
Additionally, the Chengtang and Riwu border crossings in the eastern part of the China-Nepal border are still under construction.
Nepal is close to China, at least stronger than being close to India, because India always wants to annex Nepalese territory, while we have no intention of annexing any Nepalese territory. We only want to do business with our neighbors in a friendly manner, increasing mutual trade volume, allowing our products to enter the Nepalese market more.
Certainly, we also want to squeeze India's market in Nepal, all for business. And Nepal's closeness to our side mainly aims to suppress India's excessive ambitions. Because the border issues between India and Nepal have made no progress, and due to territorial issues, both sides have had many conflicts, so it must be suppressed. Currently, Nepal and China have four trading border crossings in operation, but the Jilong border crossing was destroyed.
This means that now there are three border crossings in use, and the other two new border crossings under construction will also need time, probably not too much. Once completely restored and built, there will be six trading border crossings. At that time, we won't be afraid of geological disasters, it's impossible to destroy all the border crossings, definitely establishing more border crossings one by one, thus ensuring trade volume.
Meanwhile, the main economic scale of Nepal is around the capital Kathmandu, and the Zhongmu and Jilong border crossings connect to Kathmandu. If necessary, a third border crossing can be built to connect with Kathmandu, continuing to help Nepal develop its economy. This is the current reality. Although Nepal's economy is relatively difficult, we have the responsibility to export more excellent products to Nepal, allowing the Nepalese people to increase their income and development. This is the most realistic outcome.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1837499810579464/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.