China–Nepal border
The border between China and Nepal is in length along the mountain range the Himalayas and extends northwest-southeast direction, separating the south of Tibet Autonomous Region of China and the territory of Nepal. This border passes through the highest peak in the world, Mount Everest.
The boundaries of this particular border have changed dramatically over time, especially when considering relatively recent events such as the Annexation of Tibet in 1949. However, some of the most significant developments of modern times would be the signing of the "Agreement on Maintaining Friendly Relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Kingdom of Nepal" in 1956 and the "Sino-Nepalese Treaty of Peace and Friendship" in 1960, both of which formally recognised Tibet as a part of China and confirmed the limits of the countries of "China" and "Nepal" as they are known today.
The line extends between two tripoints Nepal–China–India. The tripoint in the west is near the Tinkar Pass in Sudurpashchim Pradesh while that in the east is in the region of Mechi, Province No. 1, Nepal.
History
Throughout history, Nepalis traded with the Tibetans via the many border crossings. One of the most important goods traded was salt from the Tibetan areas.The border between Nepal and China is one of the most natural boundaries of the earth, due to the barrier Himalayas.
People's Republic of China and Kingdom of Nepal had a brief border dispute shortly before 1960.
They resolved this by officially signing a border agreement in 1961.
While not disputed between Nepal and China, the western China–Nepal–India tripoint is disputed between Nepal and India. In 2015, the Nepalese parliament objected to the agreement between India and China to trade through Lipulekh stating that 'it violates Nepal's sovereign rights over the disputed territory'. After the Indian prime minister's visit to China in 2015, India and China agreed to open a trading post in Lipulekh, raising objections from Nepal. Nepal intended to resolve the issue via diplomatic means with India.
Border crossings
In 2012, Nepal and China agreed to open new ports of entry, to a total of 6 official ports. Three of the ports are designated as international ports, while three others are only designated for bilateral trade.The border crossing between Zhangmu and Kodari on the Friendship Highway has been in operation since 1968. In 2014, the border crossing at Rasuwa Fort was opened for commerce. However, this crossing is not open to foreigners until 2017. In addition, this border crossing is being considered for a future rail crossing between the two countries.
Other crossings like the one at Burang-Hilsa near the western tripoint while not widely accessible has been used for local trade between China and Nepal for many years. Some of those crossings has gotten so important for local trade that in 2008 when Chinese tightened its border control during the Olympics, villages like Kimathanka faced food shortages due to disruption of local trade. Historically, there are even more border crossings. The crossing at Kora La between Upper Mustang and Tibet for example was a major salt trade route. However, this crossing was closed due to Tibetan guerrillas in the 1960s. It remain closed for most of the year to this day, except when opening for limited local trade during the semiannual cross-border trade fairs.
| Treaty Name | Jurisdictions | Status | International Transit | Crossing Location | Border elevation | Maximum inside T.A.R. | Note |
| Burang–Yari | Hilsa, Humla District Burang, Burang County | Local trade currently exists | |||||
| Lizi—Nechung | Lo Manthang, Mustang District Zhongba County | Seasonal trade fair currently exists | |||||
| Gyirong–Rasuwa | Rasuwa Gadhi, Rasuwa District Gyirong, Gyirong County | ||||||
| Zhangmu–Kodari | Tatopani, Sindhupalchok District Zhangmu, Nyalam County | ||||||
| Chentang–Kimathanka | Kimathanka, Sankhuwasabha District Chentang, Dinggyê County | Local trade currently exists | |||||
| Ri'og–Olangchung Gola | Olangchung Gola, Taplejung District Ri'og, Dinggyê County | Local trade currently exists |