Eighteen trucks of arms and ammunition have been delivered to Nepal from China, media reports in Nepal say according to BBC Online Saturday.
The Kantipur newspaper said the Chinese army escorted the trucks to the Tibet border on Tuesday and Wednesday where plain-clothed Nepali troops took over.
Nepal has looked to China for arms since the US, UK and India suspended military aid after King Gyanendras takeover of power in February. External assistance is crucial for Nepal’s army in its fight against the rebels, who want a communist republic.
China last month agreed to provide 1 millin US dollar (6,2 mio. DKR) in military aid to Nepal following a visit by the chief of the Royal Nepalese Army, Pyar Jung Thapa.
The independent Nepali-language Kantipur daily said it was the first time China had provided guns and ammunition to Nepal. China reportedly supplied Nepal with five armoured personnel carriers in June.
Nepals traditional military suppliers suspended aid after the king took over direct power. He said politicians were corrupt and had failed to tackle the Maoist insurgency.
Some 12.000 people have died in Nepals 10-year civil war, BBC adds.
