Chinese team to inspect Korala customs

By Hari Krishna Sharma, Mustang, Oct. 4: China has shown interest in developing the Korala border point in Mustang into an international border crossing, with a team including Chinese officials scheduled to arrive from Lhasa to conduct an on-site study.

Korala border point was formally inaugurated amid a ceremony on November 13, 2023. It began commercial operations on September 15, 2025, after which the Chinese side has prioritised the development of settlements and installed modern facilities and technology at the border point.

China has been using the Korala crossing to export Chinese products, including electric vehicles, for trade with Nepal, India and other South Asian countries. It has also shown interest in promoting imports from Nepal, including handicrafts, medicinal herbs and pashmina.

Located at an altitude of 4,650 metres above sea level, the Korala border area has been equipped with basic facilities such as drinking water and toilets, as well as emergency assistance, with the Chinese side seeking to make the crossing a safer route.

China had previously expressed interest in developing Korala as an international border crossing and had made proposals through various channels for the construction of necessary infrastructure. However, the proposals could not be implemented due to inadequate preparations on the Nepali side.

This time, China has formally sent a proposal through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Nepal’s Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, signaling that the process of making the border crossing permanent could gain momentum.