The Communist Party of China (CPC) has conveyed that Beijing is prepared to provide support if critical areas in Nepal are affected by US President Donald Trump’s executive order, which has halted all humanitarian assistance for the next 90 days.

At least two leaders from Nepal’s major communist parties stated that CPC representatives have informally assured them that China is ready to step in, particularly in countries of the Global South. A senior leader of CPN(Maoist Center) requesting anonymity said: “A CPC representative told me that China is willing to provide assistance if Nepal faces challenges in key sectors such as humanitarian aid, health, and education.”

However, the Chinese side has emphasized that any formal action would require an official request from the Nepal government. While CPC leaders have conveyed their position informally, there has been no direct government-to-government communication on the matter. The Chinese side also highlighted that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) framework agreement, signed during Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s visit to China last year, has laid the foundation for expanded cooperation across multiple sectors.

According to Nepal’s communist party leaders, China is closely monitoring the potential impact of Trump’s policy on Nepal. China has already expanded its assistance in key areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, health, disaster relief, and poverty alleviation. In the health sector, China provides support to several major hospitals in Nepal, including BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, Civil Hospital, and Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital. Last year, Nepal and China renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on traditional medicine cooperation, agreeing to establish the China-Nepal Traditional Medicine Cooperation Commission. Additionally, Chinese medical teams have been visiting Nepal regularly to provide healthcare services in rural areas, conduct personnel training, and strengthen medical services.

The China Foundation for Rural Development (CFRD), a government-supported non-governmental organization, has been active in Nepal since 2015, expanding its support in health, education, agriculture, and other socio-economic sectors. Through CFRD, China has been assisting Nepali farmers, healthcare workers, local schools, and municipal officials. In agriculture, China has significantly increased its involvement.

Additionally, China has proposed establishing a fertilizer plant in Nepal, but Beijing believes Nepal’s bureaucratic hurdles are delaying progress. Chinese universities have also been deepening their engagement with Nepali institutions. Overall, China has significantly increased its support in areas where the US previously played a major role.

On the global stage, China has expressed its readiness to support international organizations where the Trump administration has withdrawn funding. At a press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting the World Health Organization (WHO), enhancing international cooperation in public health, and advancing global health governance. Geopolitical analysts suggest that China, as the US’s political rival, is strategically positioning itself to fill the void left by Washington, particularly in the Global South.