Kathmandu, May 23
Chinese officials in Nepal have said Chinese mobile applications WeChat and Alipay want to enter into the Nepali market through legal channels.
Speaking at a press conference in Kathmandu this morning, the Chinese Embassy’s economic and commercial counsellor Zhang Fan told journalists that the two applications were willing to expand their services to the Nepali market.
The official also demanded that Nepal open its door to the apps as they would help promote tourism industry in the country, warning the industry would lose a lot otherwise.
His statement follows a recent ban imposed by the country’s central bank citing the apps were operating outside the ambit of taxes. Many Chinese tourists visiting Nepal and using the apps to make payments have been affected by the ban.
Zhang, however, maintained that the all should follow applicable Nepali laws.
