Kathmandu: Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai said Nepal firmly adheres to the ‘One China Principle’ and is committed not to allow Nepal’s territory to be used against China’s core interests.
At a reception hosted by the Embassy of China on the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China here on Thursday, Secretary Rai said this anniversary is not merely a milestone in our diplomatic calendar; it is a testament to an everlasting friendship: a friendship that has witnessed shifting global changes and yet remained steadfast in its essential character.
Rai was of the view that the diplomatic relations between Nepal and China are founded on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, good neighbourliness, mutual understanding, cooperation and respect for each other’s aspirations and sensitivities.
Saying that exchanges at different levels have nurtured closeness and friendship instilling dynamism and vitality to all aspects of our relations, the Foreign Secretary mentioned that the visit of the President of China, Xi Jinping, to Nepal in 2019 elevated the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity.
Likewise, Rai stated that Nepal and China share firm commitment to multilateralism for rules-based global order and have been working closely in relevant multilateral and regional forums on matters of common interest.
Nepal commends China’s efforts in making the global order more just and equitable with the strong voice of the Global South, he added.
On the occasion, Secretary Rai lauded the astonishing economic development that China has achieved in the recent decades and viewed that Nepal is not only keen to learn from China’s economic reforms but also deepen our economic engagement with the thriving Chinese economy thereby creating greater opportunities to accelerate Nepal’s economic development.
Also speaking at the event, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming said that Nepal and China have always respected, trusted and supported each other, becoming good neighbours, good friends, and good partners.
The Chinese Ambassador stated that political mutual trust between Nepal and China has continued to deepen and high-quality Belt and Road cooperation has continued to advance with solid results since the formation of Nepal’s new government in March this year. “New progress has been made in cooperation across a wide range of areas, including trade and economy, infrastructure, connectivity, energy, agriculture, education, health, and tourism,” the Chinese Ambassador shared.
“Nepal-China friendship is not merely a political consensus written in diplomatic documents. It also lives in the countless handshakes, encounters, and exchanges between our peoples. It is not confined to friendly interactions between the two capitals; it is also woven into the everyday lives of millions of ordinary people on both sides of the Himalayas,” Ambassador Maoming observed.
He reiterated that China stands ready to work with Nepal, based on mutual respect and mutual benefit, to carry forward our traditional friendship, implement the important common understandings reached by the leaders of our two countries, and advance the building of a Nepal-China community with a shared future to bring greater benefits and well-being to the peoples of two countries.
Likewise, he said it is more important than ever for all countries to uphold peace, development, cooperation, and win-win outcomes in a world of growing uncertainty.
On the occasion, the winners of the 2026 China-Nepal Friendship Short Video Contest were announced and awarded.
Present on the occasion were politicians, diplomats, high-ranking government officials, development practitioners and business leaders, among others.
Discussion about this post