Kathmandu, 14 August: Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai has reiterated Nepal’s firm commitment to the One-China principle, stressing that Nepal will not allow its territory to be used against China’s interests. He said Nepal-China diplomatic relations are based on the principles of Panchsheel, good neighbourliness, mutual partnership, cooperation, equality, and respect for each other’s sentiments and sensitivities.
Speaking at a programme held here on Thursday to mark the 71st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China and the award ceremony of the 2026 Nepal-China Friendship Short Video Competition, Secretary Rai said the anniversary was “not merely another entry on our diplomatic calendar, but a testament to our enduring relationship.”
Over the past seven decades, bilateral relations have expanded from traditional ties and cultural exchanges to a broad partnership aimed at shared prosperity, Secretary Rai said.
According to him, exchanges at various levels, including high-level visits, have added dynamism and vitality to all aspects of Nepal-China relations and further strengthened friendship between the two countries. He also noted that, alongside bilateral relations, Nepal and China have demonstrated a firm commitment to multilateralism and a rules-based global order, while cooperating on issues of common interest through various multilateral forums.
As a good friend and close neighbour, Nepal takes pride in China’s remarkable economic development, Rai said, adding that Nepal wants to learn from China’s experience and deepen its economic cooperation with the rapidly growing Chinese economy.
Nepal Seeks Greater Connectivity and Economic Cooperation
Noting that trade, investment, infrastructure development, tourism, education, culture and people-to-people relations between Nepal and China have expanded significantly over the past seven decades, Secretary Rai said Nepal attaches importance to the Trans-Himalayan Multidimensional Connectivity Network and its early implementation.
On the occasion, Chinese Ambassador Zhang Maoming said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Nepal and China have continued to respect, trust and support each other despite changes in the international landscape. He described the two countries as good neighbours, good friends and good partners who stand together through both good and difficult times.
The Chinese ambassador said political mutual trust between Nepal and China has deepened since the formation of the new government in Nepal, while high-level Belt and Road cooperation is moving forward with concrete results.
He said new progress has been achieved in areas including trade and the economy, infrastructure, connectivity, energy, agriculture, education, health and tourism. Ambassador Maoming also noted that large numbers of Chinese tourists have been visiting Nepal to experience its unique natural beauty. He said these ordinary but warm exchanges between the peoples of the two countries constitute the true foundation of present-day Nepal-China relations.
Ambassador Maoming recalled that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Nepal in 2019 elevated bilateral relations to the level of a “strategic partnership for development and prosperity.”
He said China has always pursued a path of peaceful development and believes that all countries, regardless of their size, strength or economic status, should respect one another, treat each other equally and coexist peacefully.
He added that China is ready to further advance relations with Nepal on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit, implement important understandings reached between the two countries, and promote the building of a community with a shared future between Nepal and China.
Ambassador Maoming also expressed his appreciation for the role of short audiovisual content in the digital era, saying such content can transcend linguistic, geographical and cultural barriers and reach a wide audience within seconds.
He praised the large number of entries received in this year’s Nepal-China Friendship Short Video Competition, noting that the participants had highlighted various dimensions of Nepal-China relations as well as the beautiful landscapes of both countries.
Saying that audiovisual content conveys emotion and warmth, he stressed that Nepal-China relations are not merely political agreements recorded in diplomatic documents but are also alive through extensive cooperation, exchanges and visits between the peoples of the two countries.
At the programme, prizes and certificates of recognition were presented to the winners of the Nepal-China Friendship Short Video Competition. Dipesh Syangtan won the first prize along with a cash award of Rs. 50,000. Leaders of various political parties, diplomats, businesspeople and representatives from other sectors were also present at the event.
