Preface
China and Nepal are friendly neighbors linked by mountains and rivers. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on 1st August 1955, China-Nepal relations have achieved great progress with frequent high-level exchange of visits and abundant accomplishment in practical cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and other areas. In October 2019, President Xi Jinping paid a successful state visit to Nepal and the leaders of two countries announced the elevation of China-Nepal relations to "Strategic Partnership of Cooperation Featuring Ever-lasting Friendship for Development and Property".
The year 2020 marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Nepal. This retrospective briefly looks back upon the exchanges and cooperation between China and Nepal in political, economic, people-to-people exchange and other areas and shows the great achievements of the continuous development of China-Nepal friendship. Let us pay the highest tribute to the people who have made important contribution to China-Nepal friendship and wish China-Nepal relations achieve new heights in the new era!
1. High-level Exchanges
In October 2019, President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Nepal.
Chinese President Xi Jinping stepped out of the cabin. Nepali President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and her daughter Usha warmly welcomed President Xi Jinping at the stepladder.
Nepali President Bidhya Devi Bhandari held a welcome ceremony with Nepali ethnic characteristics for Chinese President Xi Jinping at the airport.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Nepali President Bidhya Devi Bhandari at Shital Niwas in Kathmandu. The heads of state of two countries jointly announced the establishment of Strategic Partnership of Cooperation Featuring Ever-lasting Friendship for Development and Property..
Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli in Kathmandu.
In April 2019, Nepali President Bidhya Devi Bhandari attended the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and paid a state visit to China.
Chinese President Xi Jinping held a welcome ceremony for Nepali President Bidhya Devi Bhandari.
Group photo of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.
In June 2018, Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli paid an official visit to China.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang held a welcome ceremony for Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli.
In March 2017, Nepali Prime Minister Prachanda attended Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2017.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Nepali Prime Minister Prachanda.
Nepali Prime Minister Prachanda delivered a speech at Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2017.
In March 2016, Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli paid an official visit to China and attended Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2016.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang held a welcome ceremony for Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli.
Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli delivered a speech at Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2016.
In January 2012, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao paid an official visit to Nepal. Nepali Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai held a welcome ceremony for Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at the airport.
In December 2009, Nepali Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal visited China, during which time he held talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.
The two sides agreed to establish China-Nepal Comprehensive Partnership of Cooperation Featuring Ever-lasting Friendship.
In August 2008, Nepali Prime Minister Prachanda visited China to attend the closing ceremony of Beijing Olympic Games.
In May 2001, Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji visited Nepal, during which time he met with King Birendra of Nepal.
In December 1996, Chinese President Jiang Zemin visited Nepal, during which time he met with Nepali Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.
The two sides agreed to establish China-Nepal Friendly and Neighborly Partnership of Generations into the 21st Century.
In March 1984, Chinese President Li Xiannian and his wife Lin Jiamei visited Nepal, during which time they attended the welcome banquet held by Birendra Bir Bikram Shah, King of Nepal and his Queen.
In February 1978, Deng Xiaoping visited Patan Durbar Square during his visit to Nepal.
In December 1973, Chairman Mao Zedong met with Birendra Bir Bikram Shah, King of Nepal and his Queen in Beijing.
On November 13th, 1961, China and Nepal exchanged instruments of ratification of friendship treaty.
Nepali Ambassador to China Keshar Bahadur and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Geng Biao attended the ceremony in Beijing.
In October 1961, Chairman Mao Zedong met with Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, King of Nepal and his Queen at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
In January 1957, Premier Zhou Enlai visited Nepal and was warmly welcomed by Nepali children.
On August 1st, 1955, China and Nepal established diplomatic relations.
Ambassador Yuan Zhongxian from China and Principal Royal Advisor Sardar Gunja Man Singh from Nepal were signing the historical agreement.
2. Practical Cooperation
In May 2017, China and Nepal signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Bilateral Cooperation under the Framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong and Foreign Secretary of Nepal Shanker Das Bairagi signed MoU on Bilateral Cooperation under the Framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.
In April 2015, China Aid Arniko Highway Long-term Opening Maintenance Project was started
The 104 kilometers long Arniko Highway was opened to traffic in May 1967. It is the first China Aid project in Nepal which carries the friendship between China and Nepal over the past half century. After the "4·25" earthquake in 2015, the road was seriously damaged, and the Chinese government launched a long-term maintenance project.
In April 2019, China Aid Tatopani Frontier Inspection Station Project was completed.
The construction was started in December 2012 and halted in April, 2015 due to the earthquake. Going through heavy rain, floods, landslides and other natural disasters, the construction resumed in April 2018 and completed in April 2019.
In May 2019, Zhangmu-Kodari border port restored freight function.
The Zhangmu-Kodari border port, which was the largest international border port between China and Nepal, was forced to close after the 2015 earthquake in Nepal. With joint efforts of China and Nepal, the border port restored its freight function in May 2019.
In December 2018, China Aid Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project was completed.
The Kathmandu Ring Road, built with aid from the Chinese government, was opened to traffic in February 1977. The 27 kilometers long road has been the main road of Kathmandu. In December 2018, the 10km congested road section improvement project was completed with two-way eight lanes and the first urban interchange Kalanki Bridge.
In August 2017, China Aid Pokhara Regional International Airport Project was started.
The Pokhara Regional International Airport under construction is funded by interest-free loans and concessional loans provided by the Chinese government under the framework of South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund.
In February 2016, China Aid Agricultural Technical Cooperation Project was started.
Compared with 3369 kg per hectare of the native rice production in Nepal, the hybrid rice planted in the experimental plots by China Aid agricultural technology team yielded 7000-8000 kg per hectare. Teaching one to fish is better than giving him fish. The Chinese government is willing to share the successful experience of feeding 1.3 billion people with all the developing countries.
Since 1999, Chinese government has dispatched 12 batches of medical team of 211 personnel in total to Nepal.
In October 1998, China Aid B.P.Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital was completed.
The hospital, located in Chitwan District, Bagmati Province, was completed and put into operation in October 1998. It covers an area of 3.5 hectares and has a construction area of 10,000 square meters with beautiful environment. The hospital with 100 beds is the best oncology hospital in Nepal. Many experts in the hospital have a background in studying in China. The Chinese medical team is providing service in the hospital.
In April 2017, the materials for Nepali local level elections aided by the Chinese government reached Kathmandu by air.
The Chinese government supports the efforts of the Nepali government and people to implement the new constitution.
In May 2018, the production line of Hongshi Shivam Cement Pvt. Ltd was completed and put into production.
Hongshi Shivam Cement Pvt. Ltd is located in Sadi Village, Nawalparasi District, Nepal. It is a large cement company jointly ventured by Hongshi Holding Group Co. Ltd. and Shivam Holding Private Limited. It plans to build two new 6000t/d Cement Clinker Production Lines with 2.3 million tons annual output of cement.
In April 2019, the tunneled connection of Bheri Babai Diversion Multipurpose Project was completed.
The Bheri Babai Diversion Multipurpose Project (BBDMP), undertaken by China Overseas Engineering Group Co., Ltd., is the world's first project to apply TBM technology to excavate through Himalayas' Siwalik strata, which makes many breakthroughs and also creates a new record for the tunnel construction speed in Nepal and setting a milestone in Nepal's infrastructure history. It has been granted the Award of Merit in the field of Water/Wastewater in the 7th annual Global Best Projects competition by Engineering News-Record (ENR), an authoritative international publication.
In October 2019, Nepal Telecom 4G LTE Project came into operation.
The project covers 4,186 physical sites, 640 tower sites and 5,800 small cells sites in Nepal. China Communications Services International Limited is implementing the project utilizing owner's fund. Technicians were testing the communications rooftop tower.
In November 2019, Upper Trishuli-3A Hydropower Project came into operation.
The project is located in Rasuwa District, Nepal with designed installed capacity 60 MW. It is constructed by China Gezhouba Group Co. Ltd with soft loan from the Chinese government.
In January 2017, Upper Marsyangdi-A Hydropower Project came into operation.
The power station is located in the upstream of the Marsyangdi River in Lamjung District, Nepal. It was jointly ventured by POWERCHINA Resources Ltd. and Sagarmatha Power Company Pvt. Ltd. The total installed capacity of the power station is 2 × 25,000 KW, and the annual contracted power generation is 317 million KWh.
In August 2014, Himalaya Airlines Pvt. Ltd. was established.
Himalayan Airlines was established with joint investment from Tibet Airlines Co. Ltd and Nepal Yeti Airlines Pvt. Ltd.
On October 27th, 2019, Himalayan Airlines launched its maiden direct flight from Kathmandu-Beijing and the ceremony was held at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
In December 2019, the Rehibilitation of Runway and Taxiways of Tribuvan International Airport Project was completed.
Tribuvan International Airport is the only international airport in Nepal now. The rehabilitation project was contracted by China National Aero Technology International Engineering Corporation.
3. People-to-people Exchanges and Local-level Cooperation
In November 2018, the 8th China Festival and Ballet Gala was held in Kathmandu.
Dancers from National Ballet of China performed Flower Festival in Genzano pas de deux on the 8th China Festival and Ballet Gala hosted by Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, Ministry of Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal and Embassy of China in Nepal. China Festival is the star brand cultural program favored by Nepali friends. Chinese ballet dancers made their debut on the stage of Nepal.
In June 2019, "Exchange and mutual learning create a better Future- the Promotional Event of Nanjing Culture and Tourism" was held in Kathmandu.
In September 2019, "Splendid Hunan-Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China" performance was held at Army Club of Nepal.
In July 2019, "Splendid Hunan entering Nepal" Hunan Tourism and Culture Week Program was held in Kathmandu.
2019 Nepal "Happy Chinese New Year-Splendid Hunan" performance was held in Nepal. More than 600 friendly personage from all walks of life in China and Nepal including teachers and students from Nepal celebrated the Spring Festival together.
The "2018 Spring Festival Gala Evening cross Border of China and Nepal "was held in Kathmandu.
The Troupe from Yunnan Province of China and Nepali artists brought a wonderful cultural show to the audience.
In the reception of International Women's Day 2019 hosted by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, Ambassador Hou Yanqi and lady diplomats are performing a Nepali dance.
In November 2019, "Brightness Action " Program (eye ailments treatment) was held by Youth Chawnese Sodality of Shenzhen , Zhonghua Chinese Buddhist Monastery and Aniko society in Nepal.
In August 2019, Chinese Embassy in Nepal held Awarding Ceremony of Chinese Government Scholarship in Kathmandu.
In September 2019, the awarding ceremony of the 9th "Ambassador Cup" Chinese Language Contest, the 8th Chinese Cultural Performance Competition and the 12th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Language Competition was held in Kathmandu.
In January 2018, the second Chinese Language Training Course for Nepalese Tourism Professionals was completed.
In June 2019, Chinese Children and Nepali children celebrated the International Children's Day together at "Happy Bottle House" Orphanage.
2018 Nepalese Youth "Discovering Sichuan" Autumn Camp was held.
In November 2019, the "Chinese Culture Campus Trip" Program was held in Pokhara, Nepal.
"Panda Book Corner" Program was held by Chinese Embassy in Nepal in 2018 and 2019.
In May 2019, Chinese Ambassador Hou Yanqi visited Mr. Joshi, a famous Nepali scholar and writer, and blessed his 100th birthday in Lalitpur, Nepal.
In August 2019, the Nepali students made paper-cut works in a Chinese class.
4. Sharing Weal and Woe
After the 2015 earthquake, the Chinese medical team helped Nepal with rescue operation and epidemic prevention support.
On the very next day of the earthquake in 2015, Chinese International Search and Rescue Team , composed of more than 60 search-and-rescue workers, paramedics, and earthquake experts, arrived in Kathmandu, which is the first international heavy-duty rescue team arriving in Nepal.
The Chinese medical team set up tent wards and temporary operating room to receive the victim patients.
After the 2015 earthquake, emergency relief supplies from China to Nepal arrived in Kathmandu.
In October 2015, the emergency aid of oil from China was handed over to Nepal in Kerung border point.
In October 2019, China Aid Earthquake Monitoring Network Project came into use.
A national seismic data center was established in Kathmandu, a data backup center was built in Biratnagar of the first province, and 10 seismic observatories is being equipped in the northern part of Nepal to monitor and warn earthquakes of magnitude 3 and above in Nepal. The picture shows a monitoring site located in Darchula District of Sudurpashchim Province.
In January 2020, China Aid Kathmandu Durbar High School Project was completed.
The building of Kathmandu Durbar High School was badly damaged in the 2015 earthquake and could not be used further. The reconstruction project was started in July 2018 and was completed in January 2020. It has a total construction area of 4200 square meters, with more than 40 classrooms.
In May 2019, China Aid Bharaiv Secondary School Project in Lamjung was completed.
The school with a construction area of 4,000 square meters is located in Lamjung District of Gandaki Province. The reconstruction project was started in June 2017 and was completed in May 2019. It is one of the post-earthquake reconstruction school projects funded by the Chinese government.
In July 2017, China Aid Nine-storeyed Basantapur Tower Restoration Project at Durbar Square of Kathmandu was started.
The nine-storeyed Basantapur Tower in Durbar Square, Kathmandu, was built in the 18th century during Shah Dynasty. The restoration project was started in November 2017 and implemented by the China Academy of Cultural Heritage. It is one of the China aid post-disaster reconstruction projects.
In August 2017, China provided post-flood recovery aid to flood-hit areas in Terai region of Nepal.
In August 2017, the Terai region of southern Nepal experienced the heaviest rainfall recorded in the past 60 years, claiming the lives of 160 people, destroying over 40,000 houses, and displacing over 21,000 families with 1.7 million people. The Chinese government provided humanitarian aid materials worth of $4 million including blankets, cookware, mosquito nets, water filters and hygiene kits to the 31,800 most affected families.
On February 7th, 2020, the Nepali government donated 100,000 masks to Wuhan, Hubei.
Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi, Nepali Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali, Health and Population Minister Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal and other Nepali officials attended the handover ceremony.
On May 9th and 10th, 2020, the China Aid medical supplies fighting against the COVID-19 to Nepal arrived in Kathmandu in two batches. On May 11th, 2020, the handover ceremony was held at the Ministry of Health and Population of Nepal.
Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi handed over the medical supplies to the Nepali side on behalf of the Chinese government.
On May 13th, 2020, the handover ceremony of materials to fight against COVID-19 from China to Nepal was held at the headquarters of Nepali Army.
Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi and Chief of Army Staff of Nepal General Purna Chandra Thapa attended the handover ceremony.
On April 24th, 2020, National Health Commission of China and Ministry of Health and Population of Nepal jointly held a video conference with health experts to fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi presided over the conference.
List of Chinese Ambassadors to Nepal and Nepali Ambassadors to China
