Nepal seeks to strengthen economic ties with China

Twice a year, a normally deserted border checkpoint high on the Tibetan plateau throngs with activity as traders from Nepal flock to do business with their giant northern neighbor China.

A biannual trade fair in Tibet offers a rare opportunity for those living in the remote former Buddhist kingdom of Upper Mustang in Nepal to cross the usually closed border into China, which is cultivating closer ties with the Himalayan nation.

"This trade is very important for us because we live in such an isolated area," said trucker Pasang Gurung, who was driving to China for the fair. "Access to Chinese customers and products makes our lives much easier ... I wish the border were open all the time."