Bhutan-China conduct border technical survey

A joint Sino-Bhutan expert team have conducted a technical field survey as part of efforts to resolve their border dispute.

The 21st Sino-Bhutan border talks held in Thimphu on August 22 had agreed to conduct the joint technical field survey of the 495 sqkm in the Pasamlung area north of Bumthang, Foreign Minister Rinzin Dorji told the Parliament yesterday.

The joint technical team that visited the disputed area in Bayul Pasamlung between September 6 and September 9 is yet to submit their report, Dorji was quoted as saying by Kuensel newspaper.

The Minister informed the House that the latest round of border talk with China had been a success.

The two countries, which have not established diplomatic relations, conducted the border talks last year with Bhutan expressing its wish to work with China to solve the boundary issue as soon as possible.

China shares a contiguous border of 470 kilometres with Bhutan and its territorial disputes with the country have been a source of potential conflict.