Pic: Cameron McNeish

From the Nepali Press

Naya Patrika, 29 June

The Nepal and China governments have agreed to establish similar rules on mountains like Sagarmatha and Cho Oyu, which can be climbed from both sides. The decision was reached during the ninth meeting of the Nepal-Tibet Joint Tourism Coordination Committee held in Kathmandu.

The two governments have also agreed to assist each other in case of any disaster in the mountains. “There can be an appeal for assistance at any time  from the two countries,” said Sudarshan Prasad Dhakal, Director of the Tourism Department who represented Nepal at the meeting. “We have agreed to facilitate during those times.”

Both sides also reached an accord to restart direct bus service from Kathmandu to Lhasa. Consensus was achieved on selection of a carrier company for the service, expediting the construction of the Rasuwagadi-Kerung border point and developing the infrastructures needed to facilitate tourist mobility from the point, and advancing trans-boundary tourism between Humla and Pulan County in the Kailash Mansarovar area.

Citing the expensive airfare between Kathmandu and Lhasa, the two sides concurred about making the fares more competitive.  The Chinese side also agreed to promote tourism in Nepal among the Chinese, through the Chinese Tourism Authority.