Editor’s Note:
In the vast river of history, seventy years may seem like a fleeting moment. Yet for China and Nepal—two friendly neighboring nations—these decades represent a remarkable epic of enduring friendship. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1955, China-Nepal ties have deepened through comprehensive cooperation in politics, economics, culture, and beyond. From joint efforts in facing natural disasters to shared visions like a cross-Himalayan multidimensional connectivity network, and from Buddhist cultural exchanges to traditional festival celebrations, each moment has carved the bond between the two peoples ever deeper.
To mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties, South Asia Network Television has curated a special report series highlighting the touching stories and notable milestones of this partnership. The aim is to showcase the invaluable friendship that transcends the Himalayas and explore new avenues for future cooperation. Let us witness how China-Nepal relations continue to flourish in the new era, resonating with the spirit of win-win collaboration.
Bridge of Friendship Across the Himalayas: Highlights from the Chinese Embassy in Nepal Over 70 Years
On August 1, 1955, China and Nepal officially established diplomatic relations—laying the foundation for a bridge of friendship across the Himalayas. Over the past 70 years, the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, through the tireless efforts of successive ambassadors and military attaches, has upgraded bilateral ties from friendly neighbors to a “Strategic Partnership of Cooperation Featuring Ever-lasting Friendship for Development and Prosperity,” underpinned by peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit.
At this historic juncture, we trace the embassy’s pivotal contributions across five domains: political trust, economic collaboration, people-to-people exchanges, security cooperation, and international engagement.
I. Political Trust: Laying the Foundation for Enduring Friendship
1. High-Level Exchanges and Strategic Consensus
Every milestone in China-Nepal relations has been shaped by high-level diplomacy. In 2019, President Xi Jinping made a historic state visit to Nepal—the first by a Chinese president in 23 years. During this visit, both countries announced the establishment of a strategic partnership for development and prosperity, signing 20 cooperation agreements across infrastructure, energy, education, and science and technology. In December 2024, President Xi met with Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli in Beijing, reaffirming Nepal’s importance in China’s neighborhood diplomacy.
Chinese ambassadors have been key implementers of such strategic consensus. Ambassador Yuan Zhongxian laid early political foundations by signing the Agreement on Maintaining Friendly Relations and on Trade and Transportation between Tibet and Nepal. Ambassador Pan Zili facilitated the landmark China-Nepal Boundary Agreement and Economic Aid Agreement in 1960, and oversaw the mutual establishment of embassies.
Successive ambassadors, including Zhang Shijie and Yang Gongsu, spearheaded landmark projects like the China-Nepal Highway (completed in 1965), establishing vital land connectivity. More recently, Ambassador Hou Yanqi promoted the Memorandum of Cooperation on Cross-Himalayan Connectivity, and Ambassador Chen Song advanced the Cooperation Framework for Jointly Building the Belt and Road, enabling Nepal’s transformation from landlocked to land-linked.
2. Mutual Respect and Support for Core Interests
Throughout changing global dynamics, China and Nepal have consistently supported each other’s core interests. Nepal has upheld the One-China principle and backed China’s sovereignty on Tibet- and Taiwan-related issues. A May 2025 photo exhibition titled Legacy of Friendship: 70 Years of China-Nepal Relations in Photographs captured numerous scenes of mutual support on international platforms.
In return, China has respected Nepal’s sovereignty and provided constructive support during key political transitions, including democratization and peacebuilding. Ambassador Sun Heping, for example, helped mediate between the government and opposition groups—demonstrating China’s commitment to regional stability.
II. Economic Cooperation: From Roads to Railways—A Connectivity Saga
1. Infrastructure First: Unlocking Development Arteries
The China-Nepal Highway, completed in 1965, became the first major economic artery linking the two countries across the Himalayas. Since then, the Chinese Embassy has continued to deepen infrastructure cooperation.
China-Nepal Cross-Border Railway: The Kerung- Kathmandu railway—dubbed the "Mount Everest" of railway engineering—is expected to cut travel time from Tibet to Kathmandu from two days to mere hours.
Pokhara International Airport: Opened in March 2025 with Chinese aid, this airport addressed the central-west region's lack of air connectivity. With direct flights from Lhasa, it is projected to attract over 500,000 tourists annually.
Sunkoshi-Marine Diversion Tunnel: Completed in May 2024—one year ahead of schedule by a Chinese firm—this tunnel will irrigate 122,000 hectares of farmland and reduce Nepal’s agricultural import deficit by $200 million annually. Prime Minister Prachanda hailed it as a “national pride project.”
2. Trade and Investment: From Simplicity to Diversification
By 2023, bilateral trade reached ¥12.69 billion ($1.76 billion), with China becoming Nepal’s second-largest trade partner. Trade has expanded from basic goods to sectors such as hydropower, renewable energy, and information technology.
Chinese-funded initiatives, including the Pokhara Hydropower Plant and solar-powered “Happiness Communities,” have accelerated local development. Treaties like the Double Taxation Avoidance Treaty and China-Nepal Free Trade Agreement have fostered a transparent and investor-friendly environment, generating over 50,000 local jobs.
III. People-to-People Exchanges: Dialogue Beyond Borders
1. Educational Cooperation: Planting Seeds of Friendship
By 2024, China had awarded more than 3,000 scholarships to Nepali students, with an annual growth rate of 12%. Confucius Institutes and bilateral scholarship programs have helped cultivate future leaders and China-savvy professionals.
In 2025, a joint Chinese New Year gala in Kathmandu showcased Chinese “Er hu” performances and Nepali traditional dances—highlighting cultural synergy.
2. Health and Livelihood Aid: Spreading Hope
China’s medical outreach has touched millions. The “Silk Road Brightness Trip” restored sight to 500 cataract patients. Chinese medical teams have served over 2 million people and conducted nearly 50,000 surgeries.
In cultural heritage, Chinese experts restored Kathmandu’s iconic Nine-Story Temple and trained over 200 Nepali artisans in traditional woodcarving.
The “Happiness Communities” initiative has improved life for 200,000 rural residents through solar-powered amenities and potable water systems.
3. Tourism and Civil Exchange: Strengthening Grassroots Ties
Nepal became a pilot destination for Chinese outbound group travel in 2023. New flights from Chengdu and Lhasa to Pokhara boosted tourist numbers by 40%.
Civil exchanges—such as youth camps, forums, and language programs—have flourished. Chinese tourists frequent Durbar Square, while Nepali crafts and cuisine are becoming increasingly visible in Chinese cities.
IV. Security Cooperation: Safeguarding Peace and Stability
1. Military Collaboration: A Steel-Strong Bond
Joint military exercises—like the “Everest Friendship” anti-terror drills held in Chongqing in September 2024—have enhanced defense ties. That same year, the China-Nepal Military Technical Cooperation Protocol included drone technology transfers and support for Nepal’s defense industry.
2. Border Security: Strengthening Stability
The 1,414-kilometer-long China-Nepal border is maintained through joint patrols and regular bilateral meetings. A 1996 military confidence-building agreement was reinforced in 2024 with new customs visit protocols that balance trade facilitation with border security.
V. International Cooperation: From Regional Platforms to Global Vision
1. Strategic Vision: A New Blueprint for Connectivity
Ambassador Chen Song has made it a core mission to support Nepal’s transition from a “landlocked” to a “land-linked” country. He spearheaded the signing of the Cooperation Framework Agreement on Jointly Promoting the Belt and Road Initiative, establishing a solid institutional basis for a cross-Himalayan multidimensional connectivity network.
In a 2024 interview with China National Radio, he emphasized: “China is turning ideas for railways, roads, and power grids into tangible projects.” Under his leadership, the second China-Nepal Border Trade and Cooperation Coordination Meeting took place in December 2024, producing key agreements to improve customs efficiency at border points like Zhangmu and Kerung. These efforts drove a 23% year-on-year increase in border trade between Tibet and Nepal, making frontier regions new engines of bilateral growth.
2. Infrastructure Breakthroughs: Turning Vision into Reality
Ambassador Chen sees infrastructure as the foundation of Nepal’s progress and has taken a hands-on role in key projects.
He made several visits to the Sunkoshi-Marine Diversion Tunnel construction site, resolving on-the-ground challenges. When the tunnel was completed a year ahead of schedule, he celebrated the achievement alongside local communities.
Chen was also instrumental in launching Pokhara International Airport, personally overseeing the project from planning to execution. At the inauguration, he declared: “This is a new beginning for China-Nepal cooperation—one that will bring greater opportunity to our people.”
In energy infrastructure, the China-Nepal cross-border power transmission project achieved a breakthrough in December 2024, delivering the first 100 megawatts of electricity from Tibet to Nepal, helping ease winter power shortages across the country.
3. Security Cooperation: Strengthening Defense Ties
Ambassador Chen has prioritized deepening military trust and advancing defense cooperation between China and Nepal.
In October 2024, he observed the “Everest Friendship–2024” joint anti-terrorism drills, engaging with both Chinese and Nepali troops and encouraging stronger collaboration in security and disaster response.
He also helped secure modern equipment for the Nepali Army and supported the development of a domestic ammunition production line, culminating in the signing of the China-Nepal Military Technical Cooperation Protocol—a key step toward modernizing Nepal’s defense capabilities.
On border security, Chen pushed for a joint patrol mechanism. In 2024, the two sides carried out three joint mountain operations, successfully curbing cross-border crime and enhancing regional stability.
4. Livelihood First: Building a Bridge of Shared Hearts
Ambassador Chen Song has prioritized improving the lives of the Nepali people, promoting a wide range of public welfare projects. In December 2024, he attended the “Silk Road Brightness Trip”, witnessing Chinese medical teams perform free cataract surgeries for 1,200 patients. Moved by the joy of those regaining their sight, he said: “This is the true meaning of diplomacy—bringing warmth to every individual.”
In education, he expanded the “Seeds for the Future” program with 100 new Chinese government scholarships and helped establish academic cooperation between Hainan Nanhai Buddhist College and Lumbini University to cultivate talent in religious studies.
In community development, 20 “Happiness Community” projects were completed in 2024, featuring solar-powered sanitation and water facilities that directly benefited 12,000 rural residents.
5. Cultural Heritage: Safeguarding the Ties of Civilization
Recognizing culture as a bridge between peoples, Ambassador Chen has prioritized cultural preservation and exchange. During the Nine-Story Temple Restoration, he praised the revival of ancient craftsmanship as a symbol of enduring Sino-Nepalese friendship.
He also advanced religious exchanges—supporting partnerships between Zonghua Temple and Nepal’s Buddhist community and facilitating the Lumbini Three-City Transit Plan, including a proposed Shenzhen–Lumbini flight to deepen cross-cultural ties.
In public diplomacy, he introduced new formats such as the “Legacy of Friendship” photo exhibition and pledged continued grassroots engagement through cultural years and art exchanges.
Ambassador Chen’s people-first approach has earned him wide acclaim. Prime Minister Prachanda called him a “man of action”, and Foreign Minister Deuba praised his “results-driven” leadership. Taxi drivers thanked him for launching the “China-Nepal Driver Training Program”, while Pokhara businesses reported a 40% increase in Chinese tourists since his arrival. The President of the Nepal-China Enterprises Chamber noted his hands-on support for Chinese firms facing operational challenges.
During Spring Festival, he organized a lively temple fair in Kathmandu, featuring dragon dances, Chinese cuisine, and cultural activities, creating joyful exchanges between Chinese and Nepali communities.
To address the challenges facing Chinese enterprises in Nepal—particularly bureaucratic delays—Ambassador Chen built a government-business dialogue platform and promoted a “one-stop service mechanism.” His delegations to key ministries helped identify and resolve recurring issues such as repeated document submissions and weak coordination. These efforts led to the introduction of the “Foreign Investment Facilitation Measures List”, streamlining approvals in key sectors and improving service delivery.
For specific cases, he adopted a “one enterprise, one solution” approach. He facilitated early-stage coordination for stalled energy projects, established fast-track approval channels at the provincial level, and helped reduce average approval times by 60 days. His regular “Approval Process Optimization Meetings” resolved 127 issues and introduced real-time tracking of approval progress.
As he often says, “Optimizing the business environment must deliver real results.” Thanks to his efforts, Chinese project approval rates rose by 35% in 2023, with processing times reduced to 45 working days. Many public welfare projects also benefited from fast-track approval through “green channels.”
These reforms not only eased business operations but also strengthened bilateral economic ties, adding momentum to the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.
A New Starting Point for a Shared Future
Over 70 years, the Chinese Embassy in Nepal has remained a vital bridge of friendship. From Ambassador Yuan Zhongxian’s early trade accords to Ambassador Chen Song’s involvement in key infrastructure breakthroughs, generations of diplomats have embodied China’s diplomatic values of “amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness.”
Their efforts have sown seeds of immortal friendship in the Himalayas and nurtured cooperation across Nepal. As the Belt and Road Initiative deepens, both countries are set to explore new opportunities in infrastructure, energy, and green development.
As President Xi Jinping noted, “China-Nepal friendship is deeply rooted among the people and widely supported across Nepal’s political spectrum.” At this historic 70-year milestone, China and Nepal will continue moving forward—anchored in trust, driven by cooperation, and united by culture—to write a new chapter in cross-Himalayan partnership.
May the friendship between China and Nepal remain as pure as Everest’s snow and as enduring as the Ganges.
Edited by South Asia Network Television
(References: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Xinhua News Agency, China Media Group, China Military Online, Government of Tibet Autonomous Region.)
