Tibet restarts freight trade at land port damaged in earthquake

More than four years after a devastating earthquake struck Nepal, the Zhangmu customs port linking the country with China has reopened.

The Tibet autonomous region will resume freight transport through the border point on Wednesday, when both countries will attend a resumption ceremony at the newly built Zhangmu-Tatopani Friendship Bridge, which connects the two border villages.

The magnitude-8.1 earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25, 2015, caused a large loss of life and economic losses for the local people. The port was forced to shut down due to damage to roads, bridges and other equipment.

Traditionally, more than 90 percent of the trade volume between China and Nepal was made through this port, which played a key role in relations between the countries, and was a symbol of China-Nepal traditional friendship, according to the regional government.

Known as "Small Hong Kong", the Zhangmu border point is one of the key road ports between China and Nepal, and is a key bridge for communications and exchanges, said Tashi Gyatso, deputy secretary of the regional government.

Resumption of freight service at Zhangmu port will enhance China-Nepal economic and trade cooperation, accelerate social economic development at border areas, and boost the friendship between the countries, said Tashi Gyatso.

The deputy secretary also said it will help accelerate construction of the region's trade route to South Asia under the Belt and Road Initiative, and would help to promote mutually beneficial cooperation in economics, trade, culture and tourism.

According to the region's department of commerce, it is not clear when the best time is to resume all functions at the port, as geological disaster control is still in place.

"Without scientific assessment and verification, and unless all requirements are met, full operation will not be considered," said Yang Guoliang, deputy head of the region's department of commerce.

Eighteen counties in the Tibet autonomous region were affected by the earthquake, with Nyalam, Gyirong, Dingri and Dinggye the worst hit.

"More than 6,000 people from Zhangmu township were evacuated to safer settlements in Tibet's Shigatse city after the disaster to avoid secondary disasters such as landslides and mudslides," said Yang.

"Since the overall geological disaster management work is not yet complete, and with the restrictions on infrastructure, local people are not allowed to return to Zhangmu township at the moment."