China and Nepal, connected by mountains and rivers, have shared a friendship that has endured for generations. Envoys of friendship between China and Nepal traversed mountains and rivers, engaged in exchanges and academic visits and left behind numerous historical anecdotes throughout the history. During Tang Dynasty of China, the eminent monk Xuanzang visited Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, where he left invaluable written records. In Yuan Dynasty of China, the renowned Nepalese craftsman Aniko led a team of artisans to China and oversaw the construction of the White Pagoda at Miaoying Temple in Beijing, which has now become a prominent landmark in the city.

(White Pagoda at Miaoying Temple in Beijing, China)

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1955, China and Nepal have always demonstrated mutual respect, trust, and support. The relationship between the two countries has made continuous progress, setting a benchmark for equal treatment and win-win cooperation among neighboring nations. In the new era, the leaders of two countries have elevated bilateral ties to the Strategic Partnership for Cooperation Featuring Ever-lasting Friendship for Development and Prosperity, ushering in a new chapter of bilateral friendship.

As unprecedented changes of historic significance are taking place in our world and in our times, the world has entered a new period of turmoil and transformation. In the face of these changes unseen in a century, China and Nepal stand hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder, jointly safeguarding international fairness and justice while promoting the common interests of developing countries. In times of great disaster and pandemic, we support and help each other and move forward with concerted efforts, writing inspiring stories of solidarity in trying times. In the trend of global economy, we deepen cooperation and pursue mutual benefits, collectively striving for a modernization dream of prosperity and happiness. China-Nepal community with a shared future is rooted in traditional friendship, sustained through cooperative development, and will be brilliant on the remarkable journey of opening up a bright future.

----We have been continuously consolidating political mutual trust. China and Nepal are traditional friendly neighbors and strategic cooperative partners. Regardless of the changing international and regional situations, the relationship between China and Nepal has been consistently and steadily developing, with both countries firmly supporting each other on issues that bear on our respective core interests. The Nepali side reiterated its firm commitment to the one-China principle. Recognizing that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal Government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, the Nepali side is against “Taiwan independence”. The Nepali side reiterated that Tibet affairs are China’s internal affairs, that it will never allow any separatist activities against China on Nepal’s soil. China firmly supports Nepal in upholding its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and respects and supports Nepal’s independent choice of social system and development path that suits its national conditions. In 2019, President Xi Jinping paid a historic state visit to Nepal, and then-Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari visited China. The heads of two states laid out a grand blueprint for a new era of China-Nepal relations from a strategic and long-term perspective. After COVID-19, high-level interactions between China and Nepal have been prolonged, with in-depth exchanges on bilateral relations and common concerns, further steering the development of the China-Nepal relations. The political foundation of China-Nepal community with a shared future has been tested and remains unbreakable.

(President Xi Jinping paid a historic state visit to Nepal in 2019)

----We have been steadily advancing Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network. Under the framework of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, China and Nepal are comprehensively advancing the development and upgrading of infrastructure, including roads, railways, ports, aviation, and power grids. It is accelerating to form an all-round and multi-dimensionalconnectivity network. The major border ports, Zhangmu/Tatopai, Gyirong/Rasuwa, Pulan/Yari, and Lizi/Nechung have achieved two-way traffic for both passengers and goods, injecting new momentum into the expansion of transport capacity and the enhancement of trade levels in border areas.Since the beginning of this year, traditional border trading points between China and Nepal have gradually reopened, providing strong support for the supply of essential goods to the local Nepalese people and fostering prosperity in border regions.Direct flights between China and Nepal have now reached 48 per week, with Chinese chartered flight landing at and taking off from Pokhara International Airport and Gautam Buddha International Airport in Lumbini, building an “Air Silk Road” for personnel exchanges between the two countries. Road projects are establishing vital connections, with the feasibility study for the Hilsa-Simikot Road ready to begin and the feasibility report for the Tokha-Chhare Tunnel advancing in a steady and orderly manner. Agreements have been signed for the feasibility study forthe fourth phase of the Araniko Highway maintenance project and for the second phase of the Kathmandu Ring Road project. The Syaphrubesi-Rasuwagadhi Highway project is set to commence soon.Bridges and border inspection stations are prominent symbols of connectivity between China and Nepal. The construction of the Nepal-China Cross-border Bridge Project in Hilsa has begun, and the feasibility study for China-aid Development of Inland Clearance Depot (ICD) and Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Korala (Mustang) has been signed. Construction of Gyirong-Timure Border Inspection Station is on track and expected to complete next year. Railways and power grids are ensuring seamless connectivity across various sectors. The China-aid Feasibility Study of China-Nepal Cross-Border Railway in Nepal has finished its on-site survey in August, 2024, and expectedly all the on-site exploration work can be finished at the year-end.In August, the sixth joint working group meeting for the China-Nepal power interconnection project was held, promoting continuous progress. The level of connectivity within China-Nepal community with a shared future is evolving in a rapid and steady way.

(First international flight operated by Sichuan Airlines landed at Pokhara International Airport)

----Our economic and trade cooperation has been yielding positive results. China’s high-quality development has brought great benefits to Nepal. China is a major source of foreign investment for Nepal and its second-largest trading partner. Over the years, Chinese companies have created over 100,000 jobs in Nepal, and more than 350 Chinese entrepreneurs participated in the 2024 Nepal Investment Summit. As of the 2023/24 fiscal year, China has pledged direct investment of NPR 254.7 billion in Nepal, accounting for 51.4% of Nepal’s total foreign investment. In 2023, the total volume of trade between China and Nepal reached USD 1.799 billion, a year-on-year increase of 7%, with Nepal’s exports to China growing by 59.5%. China supports Nepali enterprises to participate in events like the China International Import Expo and the China-South Asia Expo, promoting Nepali products to the Chinese market. From December 1st, 2024, China will grant zero-tariff treatment to 100% of taxable items exported to China, encouraging the export of Nepali specialty products such as forage grass, tea, and traditional medicinal herbs to China, fostering new growth in Nepal’s foreign trade. China also exports fruits, garments, communication equipment, machinery, and accessories to Nepal, improving the living standards of the Nepali people and contributing to Nepal’s industrial development. Sales of Chinese new energy vehicles in Nepal have repeatedly hit new highs, with 8,065 units sold in the 2023/24 fiscal year alone, accounting for 68.9% of Nepal’s total imports. The prospects for economic and trade cooperation of China-Nepalcommunity with a shared future are surging forward irrepressibly.

(ChineseNew Energy Vehicles exhibited in Nepal)

----Our international development cooperationhas been deepening. China and Nepal are good brothers, standing together in times of adversity, especially during major natural disasters and public health emergencies. After the devastating earthquake in Nepal in 2015, the Chinese government provided emergency assistance, establishing alifeline “across the Himalayas” and supporting Nepal in building earthquake monitoring networks and post-disaster reconstruction. Rasuwa School and Dolakha School, aided by China, have been successfully completed, and other projects such as Gili Middle School and Sindhupalchok School are progressing smoothly. China and Nepal also joined hands in the fight against the pandemic, with China donating large quantities of medical supplies and 5.91 million doses of vaccines to Nepal. China-Nepal medical cooperation has yielded fruitful results. The B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, built with China-aid, has become a medical center in southern Nepal where Chinese medical teams keep rotating. The Sindhupalchok Hospital has been completed and handed over, while the expansion of the Civil Hospital is progressing steadily. The accomplishments of aid within China-Nepalcommunity with a shared futurecontinue to step up with prominent outcomes.

(China-Aid Public School Recovery Project in Rasuwa, Nepal)

----We have been accelerating toimplement livelihood projects. Over the years, the Chinese government and friendly organizations have focused on poverty reduction and improving living conditions in Nepal, tirelessly promoting small yet impactful projects that benefit livelihoods, boost development, and foster goodwill. The “Vibrant Villages” Demonstration Project initiated by the China-South Asian Countries Poverty Alleviation and Cooperative Development Center has been launched in Nepal. It will share China’s poverty reduction experience and take concrete actions to improve the income levels of the Nepali people. The “Smile Children Project” has provided free nutritious lunches to 9,669 Nepali students, while the “Ganlu Project” has supplied clean drinking water to Nepali schools, aiming to improve public welfare. In August of this year, the construction of the China-Nepal Southern Agricultural Science and Technology Park was officially launched. China will promote high-yield rice cultivation in Chitwan, allowing the Nepali people to enjoy tangible agricultural development benefits. In the future, the Chinese Embassy in Nepal will also implement the “Sukhi Community”Project in urban areas of Nepal, continuing to play a positive role in improving the living standards and self-development capabilities of the Nepali people. The foundation of public support for China-Nepal community with a shared future is concrete and vast.

(Free Nutritious lunched to Nepali Students by “Smile Children Project”)

(China-Nepal Southern Agricultural Science and Technology Park)

----Our people-to-people exchanges have been full of highlights. With the implementation of the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping as the main focus, the Chinese Embassy in Nepal has joined hands with Nepal to create “Three Places and Three Brands” cultural and sports activities where we have organized a series of celebrations for the Chinese New Year in Kathmandu, theLumbini International Peace Festival, the PokharaChina-Nepal Friendship Dragon Boat Race and International Mountain Cross Country Competition, which have written a new chapter in people-to people exchanges between China and Nepal. Chinese art ensembles from Yunnan, Jiangxi, Anhui, Xizang and Qinghai regularly perform in Nepal, enhancingthe heart-to-heart and cultural exchanges between the two countries. Chinese government provides Nepal with a copious amount of scholarships and training programs in China every year, helping young people to go to China for further study and cultivating advanced talents for Nepal’s national construction and social development. On May 1st this year, China waived visa fees for Nepali citizens, further created conditions for the expansion of personnel exchanges between the two countries. China and Nepal have declared next year as the Nepal Visit Year in China, and China encourages more Chinese citizens to visit Nepal to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and places of historic figures and culture heritage.The cultural bond of China-Nepal community with a shared future spans mountains and rivers and intertwines closely.

(H.E.Ambassador Chen Song Awarded the Winning Team in the Nepal-China Friendship Dragon Boat Race)

(Dragon Boat Race on the Fewa Lake, Pokhara)

----Our security cooperation has beenprogressing solidly. In recent years, China and Nepal have achieved fruitful results in the areas of defence cooperation, combating transnational crime and law enforcement capacity-building, and have set up cooperation mechanisms in multiple areas, including cooperation in scouting and case-investigation and maintaining border security. The “Sagarmatha Friendship” joint training activities between the special forces of the Chinese and Nepali armies have fully demonstrated the firm determination of the two countries to jointly combat terrorism and our willingness to maintain regional peace and stability.People’s Liberation Army of China (PLA) has offered Nepali army three million RMB yuan and 20 million RMB yuan medical supplies, including 300,000 doses of vaccinesto help them overcome the epidemic. Chinese and Nepali law enforcement agencies have worked together to crack down on telecommunication fraud and investigate gold smuggling cases, thereby vigorously combating transnational criminal activities. Chinese government has hosted training courses for Nepali law enforcement officials and assisted in the construction of the Nepal National Armed Police Force Academy, laying a foundation of human resources, technology and facilities for the relevant departments of Nepal in combating crime and managing public security. The security barrier of China-Nepalcommunity with a shared future is rock-solid and impregnable.

(“Sagarmatha Friendship” Joint Training)

In July this year, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was successfully held, which attracted worldwide attention and was of great significance. The Plenum made systematic arrangements for further deepening reform comprehensively and promoting Chinese modernization. It was proposed that the policy of opening up must be upheld and that a higher level of open economic system must be built. One of the essential requirements of Chinese modernization is the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, which will benefit the world while developing itself and make greater contributions to human civilization. China is ready to share with Nepal its practical experience in promoting modernization and welcomes Nepal to ride on the high-speed train of China’s robust economic development so as to soon realize the grand vision of “Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali”.

We should seek development in tandem with the times and work together to create our future. As President Xi Jinping has pointed out, as long as there is cooperation desire and coordinated action, a “land-locked country” can be developed into a “land-connected country” and a morass in development can be transformed into a highland of prosperity. Next year marks the 70^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nepal. China is willing to work with Nepal, taking the important consensus between the heads of two countries as a strategic guide and turning the traditional friendship of sincerity and equal treatment into a powerful impetus to continue to strive for a better future, and furthermore bring the construction of China-Nepal community with a shared future to a new level!