China, India to reopen historic trade route
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-07-05 16:23
China and India are gearing up to restart border trade on Thursday through
Tibet's Nathu La Pass, a historic trading route that has been closed for 44
years.
The Nathu La Pass, sitting 4,545 meters above sea level, was once a pivotal
point on the ancient Silk Road.
Located some 460 kilometers from Tibet's regional capital Lhasa and 550
kilometers from the Indian coastal city of Calcutta, the pass was an important
trade passage between China and India but was closed in 1962 amid border
conflicts.
In line with minutes of negotiations signed between Chinese and Indian
officials in Lhasa last month, the two countries will reopen the trade route
Thursday with two border trade markets -- the Renqinggang market in Tibet and
Changgu market of India.
The reopening of the Nathu La Pass is expected to give a major boost to
bilateral trade between the two countries, which totaled 18.7 billion U.S.
dollars last year and is expected to top 20 billion U.S. dollars this year.
"The reopening of border trade will help end economic isolation in this area
and play a key role in boosting market economy there, " said Hao Peng, vice
chairman of Tibet Autonomous Region.
The move is also conducive to improving relations between the two countries,
said Dr. Christy Fernandez, additional secretary of the Indian Department of
Commerce.
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