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More than 7,000 cases of a mosquito-borne virus have been reported across China's Guangdong province since July, prompting measures similar to those taken during the Covid-19 pandemic, BBC reported.

In Foshan city, which has been hit the hardest, chikungunya patients must stay in hospital, where their beds will protected with mosquito nets. They can only be discharged after they test negative or at the end of a week-long stay.

Spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, the virus causes fever and severe joint pain, which sometimes can last for years.

Although rare in China, chikungunya outbreaks are common in South and South East Asia and parts of Africa, according to BBC.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China. Over these seven decades, the two neighbors have forged a relationship grounded in mutual respect, non-interference, and shared aspirations for development, peace, and prosperity. This is a unique model of partnership rooted in trust and mutual respect

On 1 Aug 1955, Nepal and  China formally established diplomatic relations. Seventy years later, this historic milestone provides a timely moment to reflect on a multifaceted partnership that has evolved from ancient civilizational exchanges into a dynamic 21st-century cooperation model. Built on the core principles of sovereign equality, mutual respect, and non-interference, Nepal-China relations continue to hold significant relevance for Nepal’s foreign policy trajectory and development ambitions.

A relationship rooted in geography, shaped by history

Nepal and China are more than just neighbors; they share more than seventeen centuries-old ties through trade, religion, culture, and kinship across the Himalayas. The exchanges between Lumbini and Lhasa, between artists and monks, are testimonies to a relationship that predates formal diplomacy. The 1956 Nepal-China Boundary Agreement and subsequent treaties not only delineated borders but also laid the foundation for long-term cooperation.

In modern diplomatic history, China has consistently respected Nepal’s territorial integrity and political independence, while Nepal has firmly adhered to the One-China Policy. This diplomatic symmetry has helped both countries build a resilient and trust-based relationship, despite changing geopolitical dynamics in South Asia and beyond.

Development, connectivity, and the promise of the BRI

China has played a critical role in Nepal’s development efforts through grants, soft loans, and infrastructure projects. From the construction of the Araniko Highway in the 1960s to ongoing efforts in energy, hydropower, airport expansion, and digital connectivity, Chinese cooperation has left visible footprints in Nepal’s development landscape. 

The signing of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) framework agreement in 2017 marked a new phase in economic diplomacy. While its implementation has been slow and requires better clarity and transparency, the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network—envisioned under the BRI—holds transformative potential for Nepal, particularly in trade facilitation, energy transit, and cross-border infrastructure.

Nevertheless, Nepal must approach such initiatives with strategic foresight—ensuring debt sustainability, environmental safeguards, and equitable benefits for local communities.

Beyond infrastructure: People, culture, and soft power

Nepal-China relations are increasingly shaped by people-to-people engagement. Thousands of Nepali students pursue higher education in China, supported by scholarships. Cultural exchange programs, tourism, and media collaboration have helped build a more nuanced understanding between the two societies.

China established the Confucius Institute in Nepal to promote Chinese language and culture. Regular cultural delegations, exhibitions and performances are organized to strengthen people-to-people relations. There is a growing dissemination of Chinese narratives in Nepali media, especially around regional geopolitics and BRI. Chinese media outlets such as Xinhua News Agency and China Radio international have partnership with Nepali media.

China promotes Nepal as a tourism destination among Chinese citizens and has included Nepal in approved travel destinations. Joint branding of heritage sites such as  Lumbini is  part of soft tourism diplomacy. In times of crisis, such as the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake and the Covid-19 pandemic, China provided critical humanitarian support to Nepal, reinforcing a spirit of solidarity. Such gestures are not merely symbolic but serve as catalysts for strengthening trust among the general public.

The strategic imperative for Nepal

As Nepal seeks to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), strategic partnerships with neighbors like China become indispensable. However, Nepal must adopt a clear, consistent, and country-owned foreign policy, grounded in national interest and inclusive development priorities.

The trade imbalance between Nepal and China remains a persistent challenge. Addressing it requires improved access to the Chinese market, support for Nepali agricultural and handmade exports, and the upgrading of border infrastructure at key points like Rasuwagadhi, Tatopani and Mustang. Furthermore, as climate change disproportionately affects the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, Nepal and China should deepen cooperation on climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and green technology transfer.

Looking ahead: Rethinking the next chapter

As Nepal and China commemorate 70 years of friendship, both countries must reimagine their cooperation in light of emerging global challenges—climate change, poverty, digital transformation, and regional security. Future collaboration must focus not only on infrastructure, but also on green development, youth exchange, public health, and social inclusion.

Diplomatic anniversaries are more than ceremonial milestones—they are opportunities to reflect, renew, and re-energize relationships as well as to reimagine the future. The 70th anniversary offers both Kathmandu and Beijing the chance to reaffirm their strategic trust, expand areas of cooperation, and ensure that their partnership contributes meaningfully to regional harmony and Nepal’s long-term national interest. Nepal must seek cooperation for changing from landlocked to land linked.

The 70th anniversary of Nepal-China relations should catalyze a broader conversation among policymakers, academics, and civil society about what an equitable, future-oriented partnership looks like in a rapidly changing global order.

In this next phase, cooperation must move beyond state-to-state interactions and become more inclusive of youth, local governments, academic institutions, and marginalized communities—ensuring that the benefits of diplomacy and development reach the grassroots.

As a small but strategically located nation, Nepal must continue to walk a balanced diplomatic path—maintaining friendly ties with both its neighbors while protecting its autonomy and advancing a just, inclusive development agenda.

The Nepal-China partnership, built over seven decades, can continue to be a model of asymmetric yet respectful diplomacy—one that champions sovereignty, mutual benefit, and the shared dreams of two peoples.

As we look ahead, the friendship between Nepal and China must continue to be guided by the principles of equality, mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. A true celebration of this historic milestone would be not only in looking back with pride—but also looking forward with purpose.

The author is former Nepali ambassador to China

China launched a Long March-12 carrier rocket on Monday, sending a group of internet satellites into space, Xinhua reported.

The rocket took off at 6:21 p.m. (local time) from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in the southern island province of Hainan. It successfully deployed the payloads, the seventh group of low-orbit internet satellites, to their preset orbit.

The launch marked the 587th mission of the Long March series carrier rockets, according to the launch site.

China and Russia have launched joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan, aiming to boost military ties and counterbalance US influence. The three-day “Joint Sea-2025” exercises near Vladivostok include anti-submarine, air defense, and maritime combat operations, according to Al Jazeera.

Four Chinese warships are participating alongside Russian vessels, with joint patrols planned in the Pacific afterward. While both sides say the drills are defensive, Japan has voiced concerns over their growing military cooperation amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

China’s weather agency on Saturday issued yellow alerts for heavy rain and high temperatures in several regions, according to Xinhua.

Downpours are expected through Sunday across parts of the northeast, east, south, and southwest, including Taiwan, with some areas facing over 70 mm of rain per hour, thunderstorms, and strong winds.

Temperatures are set to hit 35–39°C in many areas, with parts of Shaanxi, Chongqing, and Xinjiang possibly exceeding 40°C. Authorities urged the public to stay safe and take precautions, Xinhua reported.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nepali President Ram Chandra Poudel on Friday exchanged greetings to mark 70 years of diplomatic relations, vowing to deepen cooperation and friendship.

Xi praised the strong, time-tested ties and called for closer collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative. Poudel thanked China for its continued support and reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to the one-China policy, according to Xinhua.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli also pledged to strengthen bilateral ties and deliver tangible benefits to both nations.

The Nepal-China diplomatic relation has entered into 70 years from today onward. 

To mark the occasion, the 70th year of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between Nepal and China is being celebrated with several program in Kathmandu and Beijing today. 

The historical relation that had officially begun after the wedding of then Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo with Princes Bhrikuti has been further expanded in the modern era. 

Diplomatic relations with China were established on the day today, August 1, 1955. 

Both countries have accorded high priority to promote bilateral relations based on the principles of Panchasheel i.e. peaceful coexistence, mutual cooperation, territorial integrity, respect for sovereignty, and non-interference. 

The top leadership of both countries is actively working to further strengthen the relationship, noted Rajeshwar Acharya, Nepal's former ambassador to China. 

As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China has played a tangible role in global politics, emphasizing an effective world governance system based on law, cooperation and partnership for international peace and security, and the construction of a shared future, he added. 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is scheduled to attend a reception to be hosted by Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song this evening on the occasion, PM's private secretary said.

Severe flooding triggered by days of heavy rain has killed at least 60 people in northern China, including 44 in Beijing, officials said. Among the dead, 31 were residents of an elderly care home in Miyun district, according to Xinhua.

The nearby Hebei province reported 16 deaths, with several others missing after landslides and rising waters overwhelmed villages near the Miyun Reservoir, which reached record levels.

Authorities say extreme weather, likely worsened by climate change, has also disrupted local industries and posed major challenges for emergency response, Xinhua reported.

US and Chinese officials ended two days of talks in Stockholm agreeing to work toward extending their 90-day tariff truce, due to expire August 12, according to Firstpost.

China’s Li Chenggang called the discussions constructive, while US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said any extension depends on President Donald Trump.

Talks focused on trade terms, rare earths, and strategic industries. The US also raised concerns over China’s ties with Russia and Iran.

Both sides stressed the importance of stable economic ties, with Bessent saying the goal isn’t to “de-couple,” but to reduce risks in key sectors, Firstpost reported.

US President Trump has dismissed reports claiming he is seeking a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, stating he’s “not seeking anything”, Al Jazeera reported.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he may visit China only at Xi’s invitation, which he noted has already been extended.

His remarks come amid ongoing US-China trade talks in Sweden, ahead of an August 12 tariff truce deadline, according to Al Jazeera.

U.S. and Chinese officials began a second day of talks in Stockholm on Tuesday to resolve longstanding economic disputes and step back from an escalating trade war between the world's two biggest economies, Reuters reported.

The meetings may not yield immediate large breakthroughs but the two sides could agree to another 90-day extension of a tariff truce struck in mid-May. It may also pave the way for a potential meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later in the year, though Trump on Tuesday denied going out of his way to seek one.

The delegations met for more than five hours on Monday at Rosenbad, the Swedish prime minister's office in central Stockholm.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was seen arriving at Rosenbad on Tuesday morning after a separate meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. China's Vice Premier He Lifeng also arrived at the venue, according to Reuters.

At least 30 people have lost their lives in Beijing as relentless rainfall triggers severe flooding across northern China, BBC reported.

Authorities have evacuated around 80,000 residents from high-risk areas, with rain expected to continue through today.

President Xi Jinping has ordered urgent search and rescue operations to minimize further casualties.

Beijing is prone to extreme summer weather, with the worst flooding in recent years recorded in July 2012, when 79 people died, according to BBC.

A landslide caused by intense rainfall has killed four people and left eight missing near Chengde in Hebei province, Xinhua reported.

In Beijing’s Miyun district, over 4,400 people were evacuated as floods and landslides hit villages, cutting power to more than 10,000 residents.

Flood alerts have been issued in at least 11 provinces, including Beijing and Shanxi, with more heavy rain expected in the coming days.

Authorities have sent emergency teams to Hebei and allocated 50m yuan ($7m) for recovery. Scientists link the surge in extreme weather to climate change and the intensifying East Asian monsoon, according to Xinhua.

EU-China relations have reached an "inflection point", European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told her Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at a one-day summit in Beijing, BBC reported.

"As our co-operation has deepened, so have imbalances," von der Leyen said, referring to the European Union's huge trade deficit with China. She also warned China's ties with Russia were now the "determining factor" in its relations with the EU. 

Xi urged EU leaders to "properly manage differences", saying "the current challenges facing Europe do not come from China".

Earlier in the year there were suggestions a Trump presidency could help the EU and China find common cause but instead ties have grown more fraught, according to BBC.

Chinese President Xi Jinping warned top European Union officials on Thursday to "make correct strategic choices", state media said, during a key summit in Beijing set to be dominated by thorny issues ranging from trade frictions to the Ukraine war, Reuters reported.

Expectations were low for the summit marking 50 years of diplomatic ties after weeks of escalating tension and wrangling over its format, with the duration abruptly halved to a single day at Beijing's request.

Issues of trade imbalance, market access and rare earths are on the agenda as Xi and Premier Li Qiang meet visitors Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Union Commission, and Antonio Costa, the European Council president.

"The more severe and complex the international situation, the more China and the EU must strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust and deepen cooperation," Xi told von der Leyen and Costa, state broadcaster CCTV said, according to Reuters.

A summit between China and the European Union (EU) has kicked off in Beijing on Thursday, with leaders set to discuss issues ranging from trade conflict to the war in Ukraine, BBC reported.

Expectations have been tempered however by uncertainty over global trade, politics and the attendance of Chinese President Xi Jinping, after he had earlier reportedly declined a visit to Brussels, where the summit was originally to be held. 

China confirmed this week that Xi would meet European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Antonio Costa in Beijing.

Optimism had surrounded EU-China relations at the start of the year, with hopes that a Donald Trump presidency in the US would bring the two economic powerhouses closer, according to BBC.