The kathmandupost.com reported on May 14 that the way China seems to arbitrarily open and shut or limit in various ways its occupied-Tibet border crossing sites for the transit of commodities has left the entrepreneurs in Nepal anxious.
According to the allegation, which cited authorities, China has suspended Nepali shipments via the Tatopani border crossing since there is no market for the items.
On May 1, China reopened the Tatopani border crossing, enabling commerce to restart after an eight-year hiatus. A Chinese truck carrying three container loads of mattresses, rattan chairs, and bamboo stools from Nepal crossed the Miteri (Friendship) Bridge that day since Nepali cars are still not allowed to enter Tibet.
But on May 2, the very next day, the border was once again closed, according to the report.
As a consequence, according to Dayananda KC, head of the Tatopani Customs Office, “three containers loaded with plastic utensils have been stranded at the customs yard since May 2.”
He has said, “A Chinese representative advised us that there is no demand for such things. Additionally, “the traders are paying charges to the customs daily ranging from Rs5,000 to Rs10,000.”
Currently, there is only one direction in which products may pass via the Tatopani crossing: from Chinese-occupied Tibet to Nepal.
Five to six containers per day were reportedly coming in Nepal from Tibet, according to KC. The quantity of products imported for different development projects, notably hydropower, has boosted imports.
However, the Kerung border point is completely open, according to Rajkumar Basnet, head of the Sindhupalchok Chamber of Commerce and Industry, whereas shipments via Tatopani have been halted.
“Under a variety of pretexts, China has lowered commerce via the Tatopani border. We are tired of writing letters to the government requesting that the border be opened fully, according to Basnet.
The primary land route for commerce with Tibet and China has traditionally been via the Tatopani border crossing, which is located around 115 km northeast of Kathmandu. Before the border was closed in the wake of the earthquake in April 2015, its Customs Office used to rake in more than Rs15 million per day. Sadly, the joy that Nepal experienced at its recent reopening did not continue.
In addition, Chinese officials have begun offloading the Nepali products for inspection since May 1. Local merchant Dorje Lama said, “As a result, it takes about a month for a container to get clearance,” adding that exporting items to China involves several difficulties.
After China declared the restoration of two-way trade, villagers and businessmen were overjoyed that their businesses would rebound, according to Kumar Shrestha, chairman of Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality-2. However, they were again let down.
“Everyone is tired of China’s rapidly shifting policies. This demonstrates that China still does not give the Tatopani border priority, he said.