Nepal-China Relations Continue to Strengthen

China’s neighborhood diplomacy has again come into the spotlight. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently visited four South Asian countries – Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, and Nepal – intending to boost regional cooperation and partnerships for stability and shared economic benefits. China’s peripheral diplomacy is characterized by mutually beneficial, cooperative, and win-win relationships with its neighbors.

Wang’s trip to Nepal demonstrated the two countries’ strong relations marked by friendliness, high-level understanding, mutual support, cooperation, and respect for each other’s sensitivities. During his visit, Wang said that no matter how the international scene and domestic situation of the two countries change, China will strive to promote the building of a China-Nepal community with a shared future in the direction set by the leaders of the two countries.

Nepal and China have enjoyed successful relations since they established their diplomatic ties in 1955. In recent years, their ties have elevated to a strategic partnership, enabling Nepal to transform from a land-locked country into a land-linked country with access to Chinese seaports. Moreover, the two countries have also signed a series of cooperation agreements in various areas. As such, Wang’s visit is expected to further boost the implementation of those agreements.

During Wang’s visit, China and Nepal signed a series of new agreements to promote economic and technical cooperation and the building of infrastructure and health cooperation. These measures are crucial for building a Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network that aims to make the Himalayas a bond of friendly cooperation between the two countries.

Sino-Nepali cross-border cooperation on railways and electricity is expected to boost connectivity, investment, tourism, and people-to-people ties, as it will facilitate Nepal to make use of its advantages in terms of human resources, geographical location, the national ecosystem as well as the opportunities brought by China’s development so as to achieve further development and play a more significant role in regional and international affairs.

The agreement on power grid interconnection will accelerate the construction of the cross-border transmission lines, harnessing Nepal’s immense water resources, thereby ushering in a new era of energy cooperation between the two neighbors.

China has supported embracing a development path that fits Nepal’s national priorities while encouraging relevant parties to engage in inclusive consultation to ensure the people’s long-term interests. Therefore, both sides must activate the Nepal-China Joint Consultation Mechanism established to complete existing projects and explore new areas of cooperation.

Peace, stability, and development in the neighborhood are the prerequisites for the stability and prosperity of any country. Therefore, Nepal will continue to adhere to the one-China policy and will never allow any force to use its territory to engage in any activities against China. Furthermore, China will also support Nepal in pursuing independent domestic and foreign policies and oppose any attempt to undermine Nepal’s sovereignty and independence and engage in geopolitical games in Nepal.

As the elements of geopolitics are shaping a new global order, Nepal and China need to work together to protect the principle of non-interference in the countries’ internal affairs to promote peace and harmony in the region. This will also enable Nepal to become a promising land for cooperation between China and South Asia.

Ritu Raj Subedi is the Deputy Executive Editor of The Rising Nepal.