China and Bhutan engaged in candid and constructive discussions regarding their border issue during the 15th Expert Group Meeting held in Beijing from March 30 to April 1.

The meeting was co-chaired by Hou Yanqi, director general of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, and Letho Tobdhen Tangbi, secretary of the International Boundaries of Bhutan.

Both sides acknowledged the progress made in recent years regarding the China-Bhutan border negotiations. In a friendly atmosphere, they engaged in candid and constructive discussions on further advancing the implementation of the Three-Step Roadmap. The two sides agreed to maintain momentum in the border negotiations and hold the next round of the Expert Group Meeting in Bhutan at a mutually convenient time.

The Three-Step Roadmap was signed by China and Bhutan in October 2021. The roadmap aims to resolve the long-standing border issue through three key phases: clarifying disputed areas, delineating the border line and completing a formal agreement.

On the sidelines of the 15th meeting, the 3rd meeting of the Joint Technical Team on Delimitation and Demarcation of the China-Bhutan Boundary held discussions on the boundary alignment in areas where there are no disputes, in keeping with the cooperation agreement.