Former Nepali minister expects enhanced cooperation between Nepal and China under BRI

Nepal's former Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai expects more cooperation between Nepal and China in the future, especially under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

First proposed by China in 2013, the BRI is seen as a modern-day revival of the ancient Silk Road trade route that connected Asia, Europe and Africa, and has laid the foundations for a number of key infrastructure projects among partner countries over the last decade.

Nepal signed a framework to join the BRI in 2017 and has enjoyed benefits from BRI cooperation, particularly in terms of transportation. In 2019, an agreement was struck to align China's BRI with Nepal's policy of transforming itself from a land-locked country to a land-linked country.

Bhattarai said that the partnership has been instrumental in boosting Nepal's connectivity, emphasizing that it is an ongoing process.

"In Nepal, there is a Chinese support, especially the infrastructure and other things. And our government has signed the Belt and Road Initiative in 2017. And now we are in the phase of implementing the agreement. It is not done now," he said.

"We hope in the near future, we come together, China and Nepal, and to sign the implementation agreement of BRI, and we, Nepal, are very much eager to work together with Chinese investors, maybe in the government sector or private sector also," he added.

Former Nepali minister expects enhanced cooperation between Nepal and China under BRI

Former Nepali minister expects enhanced cooperation between Nepal and China under BRI

China's domestically developed anti-submarine Wing Loong-X UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) made its debut on Tuesday at the ongoing 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province.

The Wing Loong-X is currently the largest and heaviest armed reconnaissance and strike UAV in China, with a range of capabilities including long endurance and multiple payload options. It can fly for up to 40 hours and reach altitudes of 10,000 meters.

The UAV also has a quick response feature, allowing it to rapidly switch configurations and payloads based on mission needs.

"Under its wings, you can see two sets of sonar buoys and air-to-air missiles, with a torpedo hanging beneath. The customer demands it leads the world by five years, with strong detection and countering capabilities for air, land, sea, and underwater targets," said Tang Yong, UAV chief designer at Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

In addition to the Wing Loong-X, China's air force debuted two other new reconnaissance and strike UAVs, which are designed for tactical reconnaissance, surveillance, and strike missions, with capabilities to carry electro-optical sensors, synthetic aperture radar, and communication reconnaissance equipment, enabling them to target fixed and moving objects on land and at sea.

The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China, is scheduled to run from Tuesday to Sunday.

China's self-developed Wing Loong-X UAV debuts at Zhuhai Airshow