China-Nepal Zhangmu Port restores freight function

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The largest trade link between China and Nepal was restored on Wednesday during a reopening ceremony for the Zhangmu Port in the Tibet Autonomous Region, with government officials from China and Nepal in attendance.

The Zhangmu Port is located on the Friendship Bridge on the border between China and Nepal.

It was forced to shut down after the 2015 Nepal earthquake when it lost all of its freight function.

The 8.1-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal four years ago, followed by a flood in 2016 further damaging the region.

Before the earthquake, the port accounted for over 90 percent of bilateral trade between China and Nepal.

Four Nepalese trucks loaded with Chinese goods passed through the Zhangmu Port on Wednesday.

A reopening ceremony of the Zhangmu Port is held on the Friendship Bridge in Tibet Autonomous Region, May 29, 2019. /CGTN Photo

In order to enhance trade, the Friendship Bridge has been entirely rebuilt with wider roads.

The port will only run on a limited capacity. Much of that is due to concerns with whether surrounding mountains have recovered from the earthquake

“In the future, I hope we can expand the port functions. People-to-people exchanges are incredibly important for both of our two nations' development,” said Matrika Prasad Yadav, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supplies in Nepal.

Officials say only a limited number of cargo trucks are allowed to use the port and tourists are not permitted for now.

Before 2015, the Zhangmu Port was the largest port for China-Nepal trade and the busiest port in the Tibet Autonomous Region for tourists.

“Zhangmu Port has always been an important pass-way linking China with South Asia. It means that the port offers opportunities to enhance friendship between China and Nepal and improve the living standard for border residents,” said Gui Xinwei, Chief of Department of Inspection at the Tibet General Station of Exit-Entry Frontier Inspection of PRC.