The Bhutanese Leading the way.
At the 21st round of boundary talks between the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of the People’s Republic of China was held in Thimphu on August 22, the two sides agreed to conduct a joint technical field survey in the first week of September in Pasamlung area in Bumthang.
The Bhutanese delegation was led by foreign minister (MoFA) Rinzin Dorje comprised of international boundaries secretary Dasho Pema Wangchuk, foreign secretary Yeshey Dorji and officials from the MoFA and the international boundary secretariat.
The eight-member Chinese delegation led by vice foreign minister Mr Liu Zhenmin that arrived in the capital on August 21 also called on the Lyonchhen.
Mr Zhenmin said regardless of the absence of diplomatic ties, Bhutan and China have upheld political contacts, economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges over the decades.
Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay commended on these engagements and thanked the Chinese delegation for visiting Bhutan soon after the formation of the new government.
Lyonchhen also said that the visit was a testimony of active communication and friendly relationship between the two countries.
A news release from MoFA stated the two delegations expressed satisfaction with the talks and reaffirmed their commitment to resolve the boundary at the earliest through mutual consultation understanding and accommodation of the basis of the four guiding principles agreed to in 1988 and 1998 agreement of the maintenance of peace and tranquility in the Bhutan-China border areas.
“The talks were held in a free and pleasant manner. It provided the opportunity for the two sides to better understand each other’s position on the issues related to boundary and in arriving at an early and amicable settlement of the boundary between the two countries,” stated the press release.
The 20th round of boundary talks was held in Thimphu on August 2012. During the intervening period the fifth expert group meeting was held in Lhasa on 18 October 2012.
