After going through the civil war from 1996 to 2006 and national turmoil over 10 years, Nepal has entered into a new era with its transformation from a monarchy to a republic and established the communist party-led government.

 

China and Nepal are close neighbors linked by the same mountains and rivers and enjoy a long-standing friendship. China firmly supports Nepal in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Nepal stands firm in upholding the One-China policy and shows staunch support for China on issues concerning China's core interests. 

 

Nepal has long been hoping to give play to its geographical advantages and serve as a bridge between China and India. The two countries, both as developing countries and emerging economies, are the only two major countries in the world with a population of more than 1 billion. Nepal will benefit from the rapid development of the two countries. China-India cooperation will not only benefit the development of the two countries, but also help promote world multi-polarization and economic globalization, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries. 

 

During the second informal meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Xi said, China and India should strengthen coordination within the framework of multilateral mechanisms, including the G20, the BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the China-Russia-India cooperation, and need to explore the gradual expansion of the "China-India Plus" cooperation to South Asia, Southeast Asia and Africa, create a more unobstructed regional connectivity network, and strike the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement as early as possible. In my point of view, such cooperation should at first be extended to Nepal.

 

President Xi Jinping arrived in Nepal for a state visit, and it has been 23 years since the last time Chinese president paid a visit to this South Asian country. Nepal is willing to actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and the building of a trans-Himalayan connectivity network. I believe Nepal is working with China now on a number of infrastructure projects to build or upgrade highways, ports, airports and power plants. A trans-Himalayan connectivity network is thus taking shape, which will serve not just our two countries but also the region as a whole.

 

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari in Kathmandu, Nepal, Oct. 12, 2019. China and Nepal agreed to upgrade their relations to a Strategic Partnership of Cooperation Featuring Ever-lasting Friendship for Development and Prosperity. This shows friendship between China and Nepal will run across the Himalayas and reach a new height.