Shared experiences, committed support

As an emissary of President Xi Jinping of China, Central Committee Member and Secretary of China’s Qinghai Province, Chen Gang, visited Nepal from 19-21 October 2024. His visit should not be viewed as an isolated event loaded with an agenda but rather as part of a continuing series of exchanges between the leaders of the communist parties of Nepal and the Communist Party of China (CPC). Nepali political leaders, particularly those from left-leaning parties, have frequently visited China at the invitation of the International Department of the CPC, and senior leaders of the CPC have reciprocated these visits.

Chen's visit came at the invitation of CPN-UML Secretary Raghubir Mahaseth, who is also the chief of the party's foreign affairs department. Upon arriving in Kathmandu, Chen engaged in discussions with the heads of major political parties, including Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Sher Bahadur Deuba, reaffirming the ties between the CPC and Nepali political parties. He also raised Chinese concerns, apart from sharing decisions made during the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.

How, then, should this visit be considered? Here are three key points that outline its significance:

Taking stock of Kathmandu’s mood
Chen’s visit aimed to gauge the mood in Kathmandu following the formation of a coalition government under KP Sharma Oli, president of Nepal’s largest communist party. Beijing likely finds comfort in a government led by leftist parties, but this does not imply that Chinese officials neglect their relations with non-leftist parties. China has adopted a policy of multiparty engagement in Nepal since the abolition of the monarchy. Every delegation meets the key leaders of major parties regardless of ideology or political alignment. The CPC understands that in today's globalized world, mutual respect and benefit take precedence over ideological closeness. China has a policy of shared development and shared destiny. Thus, Chen's visit was a way to take stock of Kathmandu's political situation following the formation of the new government.

Reaffirming support
Chen's visit served to reassure Nepal’s new coalition government of China’s full support. Chinese leaders have closely monitored Nepal's political dynamics and the influence of external powers on its domestic affairs. The world is currently in a state of transition: the old order is being questioned, and the new world order has yet to fully emerge. Although the US-led world order has already lost much of its influence, with China rising as a new global power, the future of world politics remains uncertain. Chinese leaders recognize that Nepal has become a focal point in geopolitical competition. The MCC is now being implemented in Nepal, and both American and European powers are promoting Western narratives that aim to counter China's growing influence in the region. During his visit, Chen discussed global politics and geopolitics, advising Nepali leaders to stay informed about Chinese affairs through official CPC and Chinese government sources.  

The third plenary session
Another important aspect of Chen's visit was to share decisions made during the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, recently held in Beijing. The International Department of the CPC and the Qinghai Provincial Committee organized a deliberation and interaction program at the Yak & Yeti Hotel, where Secretary Chen and Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, addressed key aspects of Nepal-China relations and explored potential future partnerships. Secretary Chen presented China's development model, focusing on the use of technology in agriculture, industry and human resource development. 

Qinghai's topography is similar to Nepal’s, and the region has faced seasonal floods and landslides. The Qinghai provincial government has swiftly carried out reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts for those affected. Secretary Chen assured the government of Nepal and political leaders that China is ready to support Nepal in the post-disaster reconstruction process. This was a significant commitment from the Chinese side. However, it is worth noting that both India and China have provided support to Nepal during such disasters, proving that "neighbors in need are neighbors indeed."

Prime Minister Oli and CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel echoed similar views on party-to-party relations between Nepal and China. Prime Minister Oli recalled President Xi's 2019 visit to Nepal as historic and requested the prompt execution of the commitments made during that visit. General Secretary Pokhrel highlighted the lessons Nepali political parties, especially the CPN-UML, could learn from the CPC’s growth and functioning. Pokhrel had visited China last year, including Qinghai, where he observed the region’s ecological development efforts. The CPC and the Chinese government have been transforming Qinghai into an ecological center of China, ensuring harmony between humans and nature. Under Secretary Chen's leadership, Qinghai has made significant progress. In this regard, Chen's visit was important for both Nepal and China.