SATV, Kathmandu, November 29: The opening ceremony of the cultural week celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nepal, jointly organized by the Confucius Institute at Kathmandu University and the Confucius Institute at Tribhuvan University, was grandly held in Lalitpur on November 28th. Representatives from the government, academic institutions, cultural institutions of both countries gathered to witness this significant event carrying friendship and cultural heritage.
At the opening ceremony, Surendra Raj Gosai, a member of the Bagmati Provincial Assembly, stated that the peoples of China and Nepal are friends and trustworthy neighbors, with a long-standing friendship. He emphasized that history and reality have proven that the new generation will continue to shoulder the mission of friendship between the two countries. He also pointed out that active non-governmental institutions play an irreplaceable role in promoting cultural exchanges and enhancing understanding and cooperation. He expressed his hope that the Confucius Institutes would further consolidate the bilateral friendship and bring the peoples of China and Nepal closer together.
Professor Rajeev Shrestha, Registrar Kathmandu University, stated that the Confucius Institute serves as a vital bridge in cultural exchanges between China and Nepal, building bonds for the friendship between the two countries. He emphasized that this provides valuable learning opportunities for Nepali youth and helps deepen mutual understanding and cultural identity between the peoples of both nations.
Zhang Xingnian, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at Tribhuvan University, introduced that since its establishment in 2019, the institute has set up teaching points in Kathmandu and Pokhara, providing Chinese language teaching and cultural activities to over 500 students. The institute has cumulatively held more than 120 various cultural events, nurtured several young sinologists, and won a special award in a global Confucius Institute short video competition, showcasing its achievements in cultural dissemination and talent cultivation. He stated that the development of the Confucius Institute not only enhances China-Nepal educational cooperation but also provides a valuable platform for learning and exchange for the youth of both countries.
Li Shuangcheng, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at Kathmandu University, reviewed the institute's development journey since its founding in 2007, having cultivated over 50,000 Chinese language talents and established a diverse teaching system covering schools and communities at various levels. Through initiatives such as "Chinese + Vocational Education," "Chinese + Media," "Chinese + Business," and "Chinese + Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture," the institute combines language learning with vocational skills and cross-cultural communication. With 26 Chinese and Nepali teachers across 38 teaching points, it holds over 60 cultural activities annually, reaching more than 20,000 participants and allowing the Nepali public to immersively experience the charm of Chinese culture. He emphasized that the Confucius Institute will continue to play its bridging role, contributing to deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Nepal, and ensuring the enduring bloom of bilateral friendship at the foot of the Himalayas.
The cultural performance at the opening ceremony proceeded with great enthusiasm from the students. Teachers and students from the Confucius Institute at Kathmandu University adapted "Beijing Welcomes You" into "Nepal Welcomes You" for a choir performance. Nepali students presented Newari dance and Chinese martial arts displays, fully showcasing the integration and innovation of both cultures.
Meanwhile, the audience could participate in cultural experience booths featuring calligraphy, tea art, and paper-cutting. The entire banquet hall was immersed in a rich cultural atmosphere, filled with laughter and applause, highlighting the youth's passion for Chinese and Nepali cultures.
This cultural program has not only allowed the peoples of both countries to deepen their understanding further but has also enabled young students to feel the power of friendship and civilization through performances and experiences, writing a new chapter for China-Nepal cultural exchanges.
