Kathmandu, August 3
Nepal and China celebrated the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries on Friday in Kathmandu.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli chaired the event. Former prime ministers Sher Bahadur Deuba, Jhalanath Khanal, and Baburam Bhattarai were also present.
Addressing the event, Oli said Nepal–China relations have been strengthened through mutual respect and people-to-people intimacy. He noted that the bilateral ties are rooted in civilizational, historical, and cultural proximity.
“Nepal is firm in its One China Policy. China, too, has been respecting Nepal’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence. China is not only our neighbor but also a credible development partner,” Oli said.
He expressed appreciation for China’s support in Nepal’s infrastructure and connectivity development. He also highlighted the growing cooperation between the two countries in areas such as agriculture, trade, transit, energy, health, digital technology, and climate resilience.
Oli referred to the recent flash flood in the Lhende stream on the Nepal–China border, which caused massive damage. He said the incident emphasized the need for joint Himalayan development initiatives, including early warning systems, information exchange, and sustainable practices. He added that Nepal attaches high importance to collaboration with China for the conservation of the Himalayas and the fragile border ecosystem.
Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, expressed happiness on the occasion and commended Nepal’s role in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
“In a world full of changes and challenges, China is ready to strengthen high-level exchanges with Nepal, deepen political mutual trust, and firmly support each other’s core interests on the global stage,” Chen said.
He added that China is prepared to help Nepal tackle its development challenges with Chinese solutions.
The event featured cultural performances by Chinese artists, including a dance to a Nepali song.
The celebration opened with a musical performance titled The Himalayas. Composed by Shin Moonsub, leader of the Shenzhen University International Choir and initiator of the “Beauty Harmony” project, the lyrics were inspired by a poem written by Nepal’s Ambassador to China, Krishna Prasad Oli.
Performers of the song included Moonsub from Korea, Pang Xiaoying and Lin Jiahui from China, as well as Smarika Phuyal and Prashant Paudel from Nepal.
