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China on Wednesday held a military parade in central Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of its victory in World War II, where Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli attended alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un.

The parade showcased hundreds of advanced weapons and 10,000 troops, underscoring China’s growing military might. Since becoming president, Xi Jinping has taken major steps to modernize the People’s Liberation Army, the world’s largest standing army. The event drew 26 heads of state and government, high-level representatives from various countries, and leaders of international and regional organizations, with Russia, North Korea, and Pakistan prominently represented.

According to Xinhua, this was the first military parade since China embarked on its “new journey” of modernization under Xi. Beijing has set 2035 as its target year to essentially complete modernization. The parade was followed by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit and Xi’s bilateral talks with Russia, North Korea, and other invitees.

China’s visible support for Russia and its partners is expected to complicate possible negotiations between Washington, Moscow, and Kyiv to end the war in Ukraine. From the SCO summit to the victory parade, Beijing succeeded in bringing together countries whose relations with the US are already strained, many of whom were targets of Donald Trump’s tariff wars. Observers say this signals the weakening of the US-led order and the rise of a China-centered alternative.

Reacting to the presence of Putin and Kim in Beijing, Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-Un as you conspire against the United States of America.” On Aug 15, Trump and Putin had met in Alaska to discuss ending the Russia-Ukraine war, but no progress has been made since. In the same meeting, Trump also expressed interest in meeting Kim again, recalling their earlier encounters during his previous term.

China’s challenge to the US-led international system has become sharper since Trump began his second term as president. Soon after returning to the White House, Trump cut large portions of US aid to poor countries in health, education, and agriculture. Many in the Global South, facing resource gaps, have turned to China for assistance. While Beijing has not explicitly pledged to fill the void, it has gradually stepped in, drawing these countries closer.

The Trump administration believes it can handle Russia, China, and others individually, abandoning the coalition-based approach of former president Joe Biden. In practice, this has weakened US alliances. Trump has threatened to withhold security guarantees and imposed heavy tariffs even on close partners, pushing some to seek alternatives in Beijing. India, for example, once a key counterweight to China in the Indo-Pacific, was hit with a 50 percent tariff. As a result, India-US relations have nosedived, and New Delhi is now cautiously expanding trade ties with Beijing after easing border tensions.

Meanwhile, China, which is embroiled in tariff disputes with Washington since Trump’s first term, has been deepening outreach to neighboring states and Africa. Alongside its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), it has rolled out new frameworks such as the Global Security Initiative, Global Civilizational Initiative, Global Development Initiative, and now the proposed Global Governance Initiative. These are presented as alternatives to the US-led order, seeking broader international support.

At the SCO summit, both China and Russia openly challenged the US-led order. In his address, Xi declared that the world had entered a “new period of turbulence and transformation,” adding that global governance stood at a crossroads. “History tells us that in difficult times, we must uphold peaceful coexistence, strengthen confidence in win-win cooperation, and advance in line with the trend of history,” Xi said, introducing his Global Governance Initiative as a step toward a more equitable world system and a “shared future for humanity.” Russia, for its part, has long been advocating for a new order to rival the existing one.

For Nepal, Oli’s participation in both the SCO summit and the military parade reflects deepening ties with China. During his earlier tenure, he signed a series of strategic agreements with Beijing, including a BRI framework. His latest visit will likely strengthen perceptions of him as a pro-China leader in New Delhi and Western capitals, raising questions about Nepal’s ability to maintain balanced relations with all major powers.

Domestically, Oli will face pressure to justify his presence at China’s victory parade while still upholding Nepal’s policy of neutrality and non-alignment. He took a careful step this time by including senior Nepali Congress leaders and ministers in his delegation. At the same time, his upcoming visit to India will test his ability to project balance and assure critics that Nepal is not tilting toward any single power.

The United Nations Security Council has unanimously voted to extend the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) for 16 months, setting December 31, 2026, as the date for its complete withdrawal after nearly five decades of deployment, Reuters reported.

UNIFIL was first deployed in 1978 following Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon, later expanding after the 2006 Israel–Hezbollah war. Its responsibilities include monitoring ceasefires, supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces, and maintaining security in the sensitive area between the Blue Line and the Litani River.

The decision reflects a compromise between US and Israeli demands for the mission’s end—citing limited effectiveness—and France’s push to maintain its stabilizing presence as Lebanon’s army continues to build capacity. According to Reuters, the Lebanese government welcomed the extension, admitting its forces are not yet fully able to secure the country’s south independently.

Nepal plays a significant role in UNIFIL, with about 870 Nepali soldiers currently serving in southern Lebanon. Since 1978, more than 50,000 Nepali troops have taken part in the mission, and 31 have lost their lives while serving under the UN flag. Nepal remains one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping worldwide, with its personnel regarded for discipline and resilience in high-risk zones.

The final mandate signals the closing chapter of UNIFIL’s mission, which has been central to regional stability for decades, while also highlighting the enduring contributions and sacrifices of countries like Nepal in global peacekeeping.

Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Vo Thi Anh Xuan arrived here this morning on a three-day official visit to Nepal, at the friendly invitation of Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav.

Upon arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, the Vietnamese Vice President was welcomed by Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba and Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey. 

High-ranking government officials and heads of security agencies were present on the occasion. Vice President Xuan also inspected a guard of honour presented in her honour by the Nepali Army.

Foreign Minister Dr Rana is to pay a courtesy call on the Vietnamese Vice-president later this afternoon, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

This is the first high-level visit from Vietnam to Nepal. During the visit, delegation-level bilateral talks will be held between Vice President Yadav and his counterpart Xuan in Kathmandu on Sunday, the ministry has stated.

Vice President Xuan is scheduled to pay separate courtesy calls on President Ramchandra Paudel and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli during the visit. This visit is viewed with special importance as this year also marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Vietnam.

Vice President Xuan is scheduled to return home on August 25. (RSS)

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) marked its 30th anniversary of development partnership in Nepal by hosting a ceremony in Kathmandu under the theme “30 Years Together: A Journey of Trust and Cooperation.”

The highlight of the program was the signing of agreements for three major projects worth a total of USD 29m, reflecting KOICA’s strategic priorities for the coming years.

The first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Finance Secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyaya and South Korean Ambassador to Nepal Park Tae-young for the establishment of the Gandaki Technical Institute, a five-year project (2025–2030) with a budget of USD 9m.

In addition, two Records of Discussion (RoDs) were signed:

• Value Chain Development for Fruits and Vegetables Project in Nepal (Phase II) with a budget of USD 10 million, to run from 2025 to 2031. The agreement was signed by Dr. Hari Bahadur KC., Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, and KOICA Nepal Country Director Moon Han Kong.

• Establishment of Sudurpaschim Polytechnic Institute Project with a budget of USD 10m, to be implemented from 2025 to 2030. This was signed by Joint Secretary Shiv Kumar Sapkota from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and KOICA Nepal Country Director Kong.

Speaking at the event, KOICA Country Director Moon Han Kong reaffirmed KOICA’s strong commitment to inclusive and sustainable development in Nepal, emphasizing priority areas such as education, health, agriculture, and governance.

Foreign Ministry Joint Secretary Bhrigu Dhungana highlighted KOICA’s significant contributions over the years, thanking Korea for supporting Nepal’s progress in education, health, agriculture, and capacity building. He stressed that deepening bilateral cooperation would help Nepal achieve its sustainable development goals.

Ambassador Park Tae-young said KOICA’s 30-year journey symbolizes the deep friendship and mutual trust between Nepal and Korea, calling the new projects symbols of shared progress.

Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor and chief guest Ghanshyam Upadhyaya congratulated KOICA on the milestone and praised its contributions across Nepal. He expressed the government’s readiness to expand future programs with KOICA to ensure broader outreach and sustainability.

KOICA also reviewed its three-decade-long journey in Nepal, pledging to continue working with the government and communities for an inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous future.

Since 1991, Korea through KOICA has supported Nepal in health, education, agriculture, technical training, rural development, information technology, and tourism. So far, 2,921 Korean volunteers have served in government institutions across Nepal, while 2,230 Nepali civil servants have participated in KOICA’s capacity-building programs. KOICA has also partnered with civil society, universities, and international organizations to help Nepal achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Following Nepal’s designation as a priority country for KOICA in 2010, Korea’s support has significantly expanded. By 2025, KOICA’s total assistance to Nepal has exceeded USD 200 million. A framework agreement on development cooperation is also being prepared to further strengthen Nepal–Korea friendship.