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Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli left for Beijing, China on Monday.

He left for China at the cordial invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

Tourism Minister Badri Prasad Pandey, Deputy Chief at the Nepal-based Chinese Embassy Wang Sin and chief of security agencies among others bade farewell to the Prime Minister.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PM Oli will call on Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

Prime Minister Oli will hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang and exchange views on various issues of mutual interest.

Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress Zhao Leji is also scheduled to call on Prime Minister Oli.

Prime Minister Oli is scheduled to address a program at Peking University during the visit.

He is also scheduled to address the Nepal-China Business Forum to be jointly organized by the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

PM Oli was accompanied by his spouse Radhika Shakya.

The Nepali delegation includes Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba, PM's Chief Advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Economic and Development Advisor Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada, parliamentarians, high-ranking government officials, private sector representatives and media persons.

The PM-led delegation is scheduled to return home on December 5.

Rivers and mountains have been and will continue to be an enduring feature of Nepal-China friendship. Rugged terrains and rare rough patches in bilateral relationship notwithstanding, people-to-people exchanges between the two countries have thrived and will, in all likelihood, continue to thrive in the coming days, years and ages. The visit of Faxian to Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, in the fifth century, the visit of Xuanzang in the seventh century, the marriage of Nepali Princess Vrikuti with King Songtsen Gampo in the seventh century and the visit of Nepali monk Buddhabhadra, the first Nepali monk to visit China, in the fifth century and the contributions of Nepali artist Arniko in China, including the construction of the White Pagoda, are among the key highlights of these exchanges.

Nepali people, including those living in the Himalayan region, have thriving relations with the Chinese people. They get their supplies from nearby Chinese markets, graze their cattle in pastures across the border in accordance with mutual arrangements, sell their products across the border and often find their soulmates there.

About 70 years ago, our two ancient countries established (updated, rather) their diplomatic relations. These years have also been marked by peace and amity between the two neighbors, with no major dispute, border or otherwise. This relationship achieved a key milestone during this time with the construction of the Kodari highway that has played a key role in improving connectivity between our two countries. Yet another highlight of this relationship is increasing Chinese investment in infrastructure projects. 

Against this backdrop, recent times have seen a disturbing tendency of dragging China’s flagship BRI project into controversy. They are as strong as the soaring mountains and as dynamic as the rivers born there. 

China can help Nepal tap the potential of her rivers for injecting life into her economy by investing in or providing assistance for the construction of multipurpose projects with hydropower, irrigation, navigation, fisheries and drinking water as components. There is also a huge scope for transformation of fossil fuel-run transport systems into green energy-run systems.  It can also help make sure that Gautam Buddha International Airport and Pokhara International Airport take off in a real sense.

On its part, Nepal will continue to be sensitive toward Chinese security concerns and abide by the principle of Panchsheel.      

In summary, Nepal-China relationship has a huge scope. Let’s hope that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s upcoming visit to China will be yet another step in realizing that scope. 

The Kaligandaki Corridor serves as a direct route connecting India and China.

This nationally significant project links the renowned Muktinath Temple in Mustang with Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, boosting both religious and cultural tourism.

Indian tourists have increasingly begun using the corridor to visit Muktinath, making it the most efficient route for their pilgrimage. According to Harihar Sharma, Deputy Mayor of Jaimini Municipality, the corridor also connects tourists from the Kaligandaki coastal area to Lumbini.

“The face of Baglung has transformed due to the southern corridor, which is currently undergoing blacktopping,” Sharma noted. The corridor includes a 44-kilometer stretch in Baglung, passing through Balewa, Kushmisera, and Jaidi, before connecting to Gulmi via Chhisti Chhischilo.

“The corridor has opened the door to South Baglung's development. Roads have been paved within five years of its opening. Indian tourists can now access Muktinath, while Chinese tourists can reach Lumbini, fostering trilateral trade relations,” Sharma added.

Since the corridor’s expansion, large cargo trucks and tourist buses have started arriving at Muktinath from Gaindakot via Jaiminidham, Baglung Kalika, and Panchakot. Once road paving is complete, the corridor is expected to see significant traffic, making it the shortest route for travelers entering Baglung, Myagdi, and Mustang from India.

According to local resident Sanam Rana, the convergence of the Kaligandaki Corridor and the Mid-Hill Highway in Baglung will further enhance tourism development in the region.

In the five years since its opening, various segments of the 495-kilometer corridor—extending from Gaindakot to the Korala border crossing with China—have been rapidly upgraded and paved. Inaugurated in 2018 with support from the Nepali Army, the corridor now enables Chinese tourists to travel to Lumbini through this route.

The corridor, planned 24 years ago, is progressing toward completion. It is being developed in two key sections: the 224-kilometer Gaidakot-Ramdi-Maldhunga segment, and the 255-kilometer Maldhunga-Beni-Jomsom segment. According to Kalpana Adhikari, Chief of the Kaligandaki Corridor Gaindakot-Maldhunga Project Office, 162 kilometers, or 67 percent, of the Gaidakot-Maldhunga segment has already been blacktopped.

The corridor has significantly simplified travel from Lumbini to Mansarovar via Muktinath. Campaigner Tikaram Dhakal anticipates further accessibility improvements after the road paving is complete.

With the corridor’s activation, Indian pilgrims are now traveling to Muktinath via the Ruru region, while Dhakal highlights the need to attract Buddhist pilgrims from China to Lumbini, the sacred birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha.

The corridor, envisioned from Gulmi 24 years ago, connects several prominent pilgrimage sites, including Triveni Dham, Devghat Dham, Keladi Dham, Ramdighat, Ranighat, Rudrabeni, Setiveni, Purti Ghat, Jyamrighat, Palpa Bhairabhsthan, Baglung Kalika, Galeshwor Dham, Kagbeni, Muktinath, and Damodar Kunda.

CPN (Maoist Center) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Thursday made a pointed statement, accusing Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli of “playing the China card” by choosing to visit China before India. In an interview with The Hindu, former Prime Minister Dahal criticized Oli’s upcoming China visit, calling it a deliberate attempt to court Beijing, which he deemed misguided. Dahal also suggested that India-Nepal relations are strained due to the new government’s policies and cautioned that tensions over border disputes could resurface.

Dahal highlighted his own efforts to strengthen India-Nepal ties during his 18-month tenure, which ended in July. Oli is scheduled to travel to Beijing for an official visit in early December, preceded by a preparatory trip by Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba at the end of this month.

Apparently, the planned visit is no music to the ears of New Delhi and other international observers. . Historically, Indian policymakers and think tanks have accused Nepali leaders of leveraging the ‘China card’ to sidestep India’s influence, a notion dating back to 1950. Although Indian analysts often claim Nepal uses its ties with China strategically, Nepali leaders deny this characterization.

Dahal’s comments have drawn sharp criticism from the ruling CPN-UML. Bishnu Rijal, the party’s Central Committee member, labeled Dahal’s remarks as ‘anti-Nepal’ and damaging to the country’s self-esteem, adding that such statements could provoke tensions with neighboring countries. Rijal further claimed that Dahal’s comments reflect frustration over the fall of his government in July and expose his divisive views on Nepal’s two largest neighbors.

Dahal’s statement is also likely to provoke Prime Minister Oli and his coalition partner, the Nepali Congress. Since the promulgation of the 2015 Constitution, Nepal’s political and diplomatic circles have actively debated the ‘China card’ issue, with leaders reiterating that Nepal aims to maintain balanced relations with both India and China.

As Oli’s administration accelerates preparations for the China visit, the trip has captured the attention of media and experts in both New Delhi and Beijing. Qian Feng, director at Tsinghua University’s National Strategy Institute, told the Global Times that Nepal’s cooperation with China does not necessarily imply a shift away from India, stressing that ties with both neighbors can coexist harmoniously.

Oli’s agenda for the Beijing trip reportedly includes discussions on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the implementation of previous agreements between Nepal and China.

Nepal’s diplomatic balancing act with India and China isn’t new. Nihar Nayak, an expert on Nepal-China relations, describes in his book Strategic Himalayas how King Mahendra effectively leveraged the ‘China card’ in the 1950s and 60s, a policy later continued by his son, King Gyanendra. Nayak notes that Gyanendra’s tilt toward China, including his moves at the 13th SAARC summit and his arms purchases from China and Pakistan, exemplified efforts to reduce Nepal’s reliance on India. According to Nayak, even some Maoist leaders have attempted to play the ‘China card’ in recent years, albeit unsuccessfully.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is scheduled to visit China from Dec 2 to 5 at the official invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to high-level sources. This visit comes after discussions between Prime Minister Oli and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Foreign Minister Yi suggested that Oli keep his schedule clear for early December.

Upon his return to Nepal, Prime Minister Oli held informal discussions with senior CPN-UML officials about his upcoming visit to China, which they encouraged. Following these discussions, Chinese Foreign Minister Yi reportedly briefed President Xi on Oli's planned visit. The Chinese Foreign Ministry then sent a formal letter to the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, which Ambassador Chen Song delivered to Oli as an official invitation from President Xi.

In preparation for Oli’s visit, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba is coordinating with the Prime Minister’s Office. A senior official indicated that Foreign Minister Rana may travel to Beijing in advance for essential discussions and logistical coordination.

Prime Minister Oli, who was appointed on July 15, met with Ambassador Chen shortly after assuming office, where they had an informal exchange about his potential visit to China. The final dates were coordinated with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing.

While there has been speculation about a potential visit to India, no formal decision has been reached. Prime Minister Oli did, however, have a brief meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York. Additionally, Oli’s planned visit to Bangkok for the BIMSTEC summit was postponed after Thailand delayed the meeting.

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.

China has sought Nepal’s support in its bid to maintain peace by ending the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and growing crisis in the Middle East. 

Chen Gang, a member of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made such a statement during talks with top leaders of major political parties. Chen, who is also secretary of the CPC Qinghai provincial committee, led a delegation that visited Nepal Oct 19 to 20.

The Chinese delegation discussed the current global crisis, including the ongoing wars, and informed us about Beijing’s attempts to end the war, said a Nepali leader requesting anonymity, asking Nepal for support in its peace bid and hailing Nepal as a land of peace where Gautam Budha was born.

Both in the Russia-Ukraine war and in the Mideast, China is playing the peacemaker by leveraging its clout. Both Russia and Ukraine recognize the importance of including Beijing in their negotiations. The Chinese delegation, during the interaction with Nepal’s communist parties, discussed a range of bilateral issues, including Xi Jinping’s short visit to Nepal in 2019. 

According to Xinhua, during the stay in the Himalayan country, the CPC delegation had exchanges with leaders of Nepal’s political parties and attended a briefing on the spirit of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Committee, which was focused on sharing the opportunities brought by the Chinese-style modernization and deepening the trans-Himalayan cooperation.

In meetings and exchanges with the CPC delegation, the Nepali side reaffirmed commitment to the one-China policy and expressed the willingness to further strengthen inter-party exchanges with the Chinese side, and to deepen cooperation in various fields, promoting the continuous development of relations between the two countries, Xinhua reports. 

According to Nepali leaders, the Chinese side focused on enhancing ties on multiple fronts, including in the agriculture sector. Of late, the Chinese side is expressing readiness to support Nepal's agriculture sector but Nepal has not come up with any concrete proposal. A few weeks ago, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Cheng Song had said that his country was ready to lend support to Nepal for establishing a fertilizer plant. Unlike the previous delegation, this delegation did not raise the Belt and Road Initiative, according to a leader. 

Of late, CPC has stepped up engagement with Nepal’s political parties and the government.

Nepal-China joint military drill is taking place in Southwest China's Chongqing municipality, with a type of ball-shaped reconnaissance drone making its debut.

An opening ceremony was held for the Sagarmatha Friendship-2024 joint army drill at a training base in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Sunday, the Xinhua News Agency reported. It is the fourth edition of the Sagarmatha Friendship series of exercises between the Chinese and Nepali militaries, with the previous drill held five years ago in 2019. The drill began in 2017.

Under the theme of joint anti-terrorism operations in urban blocks, the joint training will include light arms shooting, anti-terrorism group tactics, drone operations, emergency rescues and a comprehensive anti-terrorism exercise, with the aim of boosting capabilities in fields such as multidimensional search, mobile infiltration and armed rescue in joint operations, according to Xinhua.

 After the opening ceremony, the Chinese side displayed more than 20 pieces of equipment in three categories, namely light arms, reconnaissance gears for anti-terrorism missions and equipment, China Central Television (CCTV) reported.

Intelligent reconnaissance equipment attracted particular attention, including a type of robot dog, a type of through-wall radar and a type of self-propelled ball-shaped reconnaissance drone, the report said. The gear will provide extra combat capabilities in the joint exercise, CCTV said.

A CCTV clip showed that the ball-shaped reconnaissance drone, equipped with a camera and sensors, can be held with one hand. After viewing the clip, a Beijing-based military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Sunday that the mini ball-shaped drone can move through urban areas by rolling on the ground with little noise and avoiding hostile detections. The small drone is expected to cost little, but can significantly reduce the risk of personnel exposure under dangerous environments, the expert said.

During the exercise, the two sides will also conduct exchanges on disaster relief operations, tackling natural disasters such as earthquakes, snow damages and debris flow, in addition to a series of cultural exchanges to enhance mutual trust and understandings, Xinhua reported.

Nepal and China are set to resume their joint military drill, which had been stalled since 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The fourth edition of the drill will be held in China later this month. According to sources at the Nepali Army headquarters, the exercise will begin on Sept 21 and last for 10 days. Although China had been hesitant to restart the drill in the early years following the pandemic due to strict health restrictions, it has now agreed to move forward.

Outgoing Army chief Prabhu Ram Sharma played a key role in reviving the joint drill between the Nepal Army and China’s People’s Liberation Army, according to officials. Army spokesperson Brig Gen Gaurav Kumar KC confirmed that discussions are ongoing to finalize the details, although he did not provide further specifics. 

Sharma has reportedly proposed to the Chinese side that the dates for the exercise be confirmed before his retirement. Sharma officially retired on Monday, passing the leadership of the Nepali Army to Ashok Raj Sigdel. In preparation for the exercise, Sharma had earlier dispatched senior official Prem Dhoj Adhikari to Beijing for discussions. The final dates were set shortly after Adhikari’s return.

The drill, known as the Sagarmatha Friendship exercise, first began in 2017, drawing attention from both New Delhi and Beijing. This year’s edition will take place in Chengdu, China. Prior to 2017, while Nepal and China had engaged in training and exchanges, no joint military drills had been held between the two countries.

India, the US, and other nations have expressed concerns about the growing military cooperation between Nepal and China, viewing it through the lens of rising geopolitical tensions. Recently, China has introduced new global initiatives in both the development and security sectors, such as the Global Security Initiative (GSI), which has raised further apprehension in India and Western nations. Nepal, however, has informed China that it cannot be part of the GSI.

The Nepali Army maintains that these joint drills are routine, similar to the military exercises it conducts with other nations, including India and the US. For example, Nepal and India hold the Surya Kiran military drill annually, rotating the location between the two countries.

A special team from the Nepal Army, including an observer group led by senior official Pradeep Jung KC, will visit China to participate in the drill, which will focus on counterterrorism and disaster management. Each country will send a delegation of 18 members. The previous three editions of the drill were held in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

After a long wait, both the border points with Tibet of China have been opened.

The Ruila border point in Chumanbri Rural Municipality-1 and Nguila border point in Chumanbri Rural Municipality-7 of Gorkha have been opened, rural municipality Chairman Nima Lama informed.

Ruila border crossing has been open for 15 days and Nguila crossing for a month, Lama said.

The border points, closed by the Chinese side, were opened for a short time after five years.

Locals have been elated after the opening of the border crossings.

“Our border points have been opened. Now, the people can go to the Tibetan markets to buy daily essentials,” Chetan Chumbel Lama of Chumanbri-7 said, adding,” We have been asked to bring citizenship and pass. Now, the villagers are preparing to go to Shyak of Tibet.”

Though the border points are open, people are allowed to take only horses, not yaks, to transport goods.

Nguila border points were opened from Tuesday and Ruila from Wednesday.

During a meeting between the representatives of Chekampar and Tibetan officials, an understanding was reached that the border points will be opened from May.

The Chinese side had closed all 14 border points including Nguila border in Chumanbri-7 and Ruila border in Chumanbri-1 after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dear Readers,

This week has seen significant developments on both the domestic and international fronts that deserve your attention. 

Nepal and China hosted a foreign-secretary level meeting in Kathmandu to discuss bilateral issues. Although no major breakthroughs were achieved, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong’s visit marked a significant diplomatic engagement. During his stay, he met with Nepal’s top leaders, including President Ram Chandra Paudel.

There were speculations that Nepal and China might sign a Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) implementation plan during this visit. However, this did not materialize. It is possible that progress could be made during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Nepal, which is expected to take place very soon. China was keen on finalizing the agreement during Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s visit to Nepal last year. But Dahal was not interested.

Speaking in the Parliament, Prime Minister Dahal outlined Nepal’s position on BRI, which almost all major parties agree with. He said Nepal prefers grants over loans and, if loans are necessary, they should be concessional with interest rates not exceeding 1.5 percent. He also stated that Nepal seeks loans from China on terms similar to those from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. This sentiment mirrors the position of former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba during his discussion with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in 2022. To date, CPN-UML Chairperson and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has not publicly detailed his views on the BRI.

We have an in-depth analysis of Prime Minister Dahal’s parliamentary address under the heading ‘PM Faces Tough Questions in Parliament’. For more details, please visit our website.  A delegation led by CPN-UML leader Bishnu Rimal visited Beijing this week—latest in the series of Nepali leaders visiting China. China’s influence in Kathmandu has increased considerably in recent times. Our feature titled ‘China’s Growing Clout in Kathmandu’ explores how China’s engagement with Nepal extends beyond the BRI.

During his parliamentary session, Prime Minister Dahal also addressed questions about issues related to India and the Russia-Ukraine war, among other topics. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha attended the Asia Cooperation Dialogue in Iran, where he reaffirmed Nepal’s strong commitment to regional cooperation and multilateralism, a core foreign policy priority since the Panchayat era.

Last week, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid an official visit to India, although she had been to New Delhi a few days ago to attend Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inauguration. Along with bilateral discussions, the two leaders addressed sub-regional and regional issues, including power trade between Nepal, India and Bangladesh. Our detailed coverage of these topics is available online under the headline ‘A Landmark in Sub-Regional Energy Cooperation’. 

After the foreign secretary-level meeting with China, Nepal is now preparing for a similar foreign-secretary-level meeting with India. These annual meetings review the full spectrum of bilateral relations.

On the domestic front, political dynamics continue to be a topic of discussion. Speculation about the stability of the current government persists, with reports indicating ongoing talks between the Nepali Congress (NC) and the UML to explore potential new government formations. Our sister publication, Annapurna Post, recently published pieces advocating for the formation of a national consensus government.

Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari returned to the political spotlight amid rumors of her renewing her UML membership. However, in a recent interview, Bhandari clarified that she has not applied for membership and that the UML has not approached her. We have analyzed this development under the heading ‘Is Bhandari Planning a Return to UML?’, concluding that while her return to active politics is possible, it is not imminent.

The government has recommended ambassadors for eight countries, with the UML selecting former bureaucrats for its quota.

Meanwhile, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) remains in the political limelight. Its General Secretary Mukul Dhakal has come up with a report describing the party as being in ‘serious illness’ and in need of a ‘major surgery’ to maintain its status as a national party. This report, which is said to be based on feedback from over 3,000 cadres across 38 districts, has given rise to significant debate within the party. Dhakal, a vocal critic of the current government and an adversary of RSP President Rabi Lamichhane, insists that RSP ministers must justify their stay in the government. There is a section in the RSP which believes the lust for power could affect its very base.

A parliamentary panel investigating the financial status of around 29 cooperatives has expedited its work. Media reports suggest that the panel is preparing to question Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane regarding his alleged involvement in the misappropriation of cooperative funds.

I will be back with more updates next week. Wishing you all a happy weekend!

The 16th meeting of Nepal-China Diplomatic Consultation Mechanism began in Kathmandu today.

Spokesperson at the Foreign Ministry, Amrit Bahadur Rai, shared that discussions are underway regarding overall areas of Nepal-China bilateral relations and cooperation in the meeting.

Similarly, discussions would be held on exchanging cooperation in different sectors including education, health, infrastructure, agriculture, trade, investment, tourism and financial support and connectivity in the meeting.

Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal on the behalf of Nepal is leading the delegation in the meeting which comprises senior officers of different ministries.

Likewise, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Sun Weidong, is leading the Chinese delegation.

Weidong arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday morning for a three-day official visit to attend the meeting.

During his visit, the Vice Minister is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on President Ramchandra Paudel.

He paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Monday. He is scheduled to return home tomorrow.

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has seen mixed progress in Nepal since the two countries signed the agreement in 2017. A common narrative suggests that no significant projects have been completed under the BRI framework, leading many foreign policy observers to conclude that China has not succeeded in expanding its influence in Kathmandu, largely due to implicit pressure from the West and India. 

Nevertheless, the implementation of BRI remains a top agenda item in interactions between representatives of the Communist Party of China and Nepal’s political parties, especially the communist ones, which have expressed dissatisfaction over the perceived slow progress.

From the Chinese perspective, several soft and hard projects launched in Nepal fall under the broader BRI framework. However, China is pushing for the implementation of more infrastructure projects, as globally, the BRI is perceived mainly as an infrastructure initiative. 

Beyond BRI, China’s reach and influence in Nepal have significantly expanded across various sectors—from education to security, from village to national levels, and from electric vehicles to airline companies. Recent interactions even include the judiciary and parliament, with notable exchanges of visits between officials from both countries.

In November last year, Nepal’s Chief Justice Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha visited China, followed by a reciprocal visit this week by Liu Guixian, a senior justice of the Supreme People’s Court of China. Senior leaders from Nepal’s National Assembly and the Speaker of the House of Representatives have also visited China in recent years.

Recent examples of China-Nepal cooperation include Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song’s participation in multiple events. These events illustrate China’s diverse offerings to Nepal, such as organizing the first intra-party school Chinese pop dance competition involving students from 13 primary and secondary schools, and a cardiovascular screening program by specialists from Fuwai Yunnan Hospital, which provided screenings for 4,682 Nepali children diagnosed with congenital cardiovascular disease, offering them free treatment in China.

Additionally, China has resumed the China Higher Level Education Fair, halted for two decades, and Nepal’s colleges and universities are increasingly offering Chinese language courses. The number of scholarships for Nepali students to study in China has also increased, as has the participation of Nepali bureaucrats going to China for education. Beyond education and health, China is also interested in importing Nepali tea, and the two countries are working on petroleum product collaborations. These are just some instances where there is a long list of new areas of collaboration between the two countries. 

For a long time, Western and European countries have been expanding their influence in Nepal through non-governmental organizations. Now Chinese non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are also becoming more active in Nepal. The China Foundation for Rural Development (CFRD), for instance, has been working in the areas of health, education, and other social issues, particularly in the Tarai region. Recently, CFRD provided aid to fire-affected people in the Mahottari district but this is not the first time. CFRD has been providing support in Madhes region since 2015 and it continues to expand. 

China has developed networks and projects to engage with all segments of Nepali society, and Ambassador Song has been instrumental in enhancing bilateral engagement through active social media presence and interactions with media personnel.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha has been a strong supporter of bilateral projects, frequently attending events organized by the Chinese Embassy and other Chinese-funded local organizations. Shrestha is notably the only minister in the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government, who has been consistently pushing for the signing of the BRI implementation plan, which remains pending.

As China aspires to engage more with Nepal, bilateral visits are expanding, with politicians from various levels visiting China. But it is noteworthy that visits by leaders from the Nepali Congress (NC) are fewer compared to those from communist parties. This could be due to fewer invitations from China or a lack of interest from senior NC leaders. Despite this, both Chinese and NC leaders acknowledge the historical role of bilateral relations, often referencing BP Koirala’s contributions from the 1960s.In summary, while progress on the BRI in Nepal may have been slow, overall Chinese engagement in the country has picked up speed, balancing hard and soft power. The Nepal-China border, which had been largely closed since 2015 and further impacted by Covid-19, has recently reopened, facilitating increased movement of people and goods. This week, the two countries are holding their 16th Secretary-level meeting to review the entire bilateral relationship. To measure China's influence in Nepal solely through the BRI lens is to overlook the broader picture. 

A high-level Chinese government delegation is visiting Nepal at the invitation of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The five-member team under Ye Hanbing, Vice-governor of Sichuan Province and Commissioner of the Public Security Department of the province, is arriving in Nepal on Tuesday morning. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs are coordinating the visit.

According to sources, Hanbing’s team will meet with the Foreign Minister, Home Minister, Home Secretary, and other high-ranking officials. Home ministry sources indicate that discussions on matters of mutual and security interest will take place during the meeting. The visiting team includes Deng Hua, Zheng Xiaoqing, Zhong Ke, and Thang Jianxin. 

Of late, there has been a surge in high-level visits from China.

Immediately following Hanbing’s visit, a delegation under Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong will arrive in Nepal. According to the foreign ministry, Sun's team will participate in the 16th round of the Nepal-China Diplomatic Consultation Mechanism meeting. The foreign ministry of Foreign Affairs is making preparations for this visit.

Recently, China has intensified its activities in Pokhara and Lumbini, in addition to Kathmandu. For the Chinese New Year, the Chinese Embassy in Nepal organized various programs in Pokhara and Lumbini. Just last week, a high-ranking Chinese official visited Lumbini and Kathmandu. Chen Ruifeng, Chinese Minister for the National Religious and Cultural Affairs Administration, visited Lumbini last Wednesday, accompanied by Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song, Huang Zhihui, director-general of the General Bureau of National Religious Affairs Administration, and Venerable Master Yin Shun, a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Vice-chairman of the Buddhist Association of China.

Minister Chen laid the foundation stone for a structure to be built next to the Chinese monastery in Lumbini. Participants in the foundation-laying ceremony included Yin Shun, Ambassador Song, Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) Vice-chairperson Lhyarkal Lama, Registrar of Lumbini Buddhist University Tilakram Acharya, and Deputy Mayor of Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality Kalpana Harijan.

Minister Chen also visited the office of Vice-chair Lama at the LDT. He stated that his visit aimed to promote tourism in Lumbini and sustain cultural relations between Nepal and China. Minister Chen toured the Maya Devi Temple, Ashoka Pillar, Pushkarani Pond, and Shanti Deep to gather information about Lumbini.

Also, Vice-chair of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Bateer, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations, mutual cooperation, and the implementation of various agreements between the two countries. Prime Minister Dahal expressed satisfaction over the gradual implementation of the agreements reached during his recent visit to China. He thanked the Chinese government for operationalizing the traditional 14 checkpoints along the Nepal-China border and for gradually implementing important agreements.

The Armed Police Force established a Border Out Post at Samdo in Chumanubri of Gorkha district bordering China on Sunday.

With this, the number of BOPs established towards China has reached 10.

The BOP, established under APF company No. 29 of Gorkha, is 164 km north from Gorkha Bazaar, the district headquarters.

The BOP established in Nepal and China border will rescue people trapped in snowfall and avalanches, curb illegal smuggling, deal with criminal activities in the border areas and monitor border pillars and areas.

Ruyela border crossing is around 15 km from the BOP established at the elevation of 3, 875 meters from sea level.

Earlier, the APF had established BOP in nine places towards Chinese side including Tinkar of Darchula, Hilsa of Humla, Nechung of Mustang, Timure of Rasuwa, Tatopani and Gumba of Sindhupalchowk, Lamabagar of Dolakha, Kimathanka of Rasuwa and Olangchung Gola of Taplejung.

So far, Nepal has established 244 BOPs towards the Indian border and 10 towards Chinese border.

In 2018, a visit by then China’s Ambassador Yu Hong to Janakpur, the capital of Madhes Province, raised eyebrows. Usually, ambassadors travel for events or for a holiday, but this visit felt different. Unlike typical ambassadorial trips, Yu’s focused on distributing disaster relief under China Aid. This sparked curiosity about China’s growing interest in Nepal’s Tarai region, which traditionally has closer ties with India due to open borders and constant movement of people and goods. Hong’s visit to Janakpur was a sign that China was changing its approach.

More recently in May, current Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song visited Madhes again.  He attended the launch of a new program in Barahathawa Municipality called ‘Support for schools and communities in remote areas for Pandemic Prevention and Green Recovery’.  This China Aid initiative, partnered with the UNDP, will benefit 15,000 students and 7,500 families in Sarlahi and Rautahat districts.

China has initiated support to schools and communities in Madhes Province of Nepal, which is quite rare. This move was hugely welcomed by the local communities, which was witnessed in the way the Chinese team was greeted in the area. During his visit, Ambassador Song also announced two major projects of clean drinking water and solar light in the villages starting right from Madhes Province. 

From the provincial government representatives to local government heads, there was a unified voice that China’s support could be instrumental. Provincial Minister for Physical Infrastructures and Development Saroj Kumar Yadav thanked China for selecting Madhes Province and establishing new model projects, while Barahathawa Mayor Kalpana Kumari Katuwal said that the support could bring positive changes in the lives of the general public. 

The ambassador and his team received similar welcoming gestures from the school and community representatives. Some even suggested opening Chinese language centers or establishing sister-city relations among Tarai towns and Chinese cities.

This wasn’t China’s first project in Madhes though. In 2018, China Aid supported 31,800 flood-affected families in seven Tarai districts, including Sarlahi, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Rautahat, and Parsa, through the Post-Flood Recovery Program. Similarly, a Chinese NGO helped establish over 100 wash stations and isolation centers during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Though the Tarai has no language or cultural symmetry with China as it has with India, it is noteworthy that many students from the region have been studying in Chinese universities under various scholarship programs. These scholarship programs, along with development and disaster relief programs, highlight China's growing interest in the region.

Asked whether there is a gap between China and Madhes, Ambassador Song denied there was one. He said China is willing to support Madhes just like any other provinces of Nepal. According to him, China sees potential in agriculture and industry, offering support in health and education. 

“I think Madhes Province is very promising in these two areas. It needs more help, development and cooperation. That’s my impression,” he said.

His visit to schools suggests a shift towards public diplomacy, building connections with the people of Tarai. 

There are already signs of Chinese economic interest in the region too. Chinese companies have set up small-scale industries in Bara. The Chinese ambassador and his team visited a construction site under the Package 5 of the Kathmandu-Tarai/Madhes Fast Track, which is assigned to CMCE/SDLQ JV, China, and thanked the contractors for the substantial progress. 

These latest developments, along with Song’s positive remarks on Madhes’ potential, indicate a more active Chinese role in the future.

It is clear that China is no longer content with its traditional approach to diplomacy, that it is gradually coming out from the G2G diplomatic engagements and trying to put people-to-people relationship at the center of its diplomacy. 

While Nepal strives to maintain neutrality in its relations with India and China, Madhes Province can benefit from development assistance offered by both neighbors. China’s cautious and pragmatic approach seems to be winning hearts, and the future holds promise for deeper cooperation between China and Madhes.

The author is a freelance journalist