Nepal and China share a long history of friendly relations, are great friendly neighbors bounded by close cultural, social, religious and political ties.

Bilateral diplomatic relations, formally established on Aug 1,  1955 have remained close, reliable, friendly and cooperative since time immemorial.

Both Nepal and China are some of the very old civilizations. The deeply rooted friendship between our people has a long history of friendship. Since ancient times, Nepal and China have been enjoying very close and cordial relation.

In ancient times after the arrival of Maha Manjushree in Nepal from China, the people started to build strong relationship with China. Visit of Chinese pilgrims Fa Xian, Xuan Zang to Nepal and Nepalese scholar Budha Bhadra to China and Nepali architect Arniko erected white pagoda in Beijing helped to build our relations and cultural relations much deeper.

Around 600–650 CE, Nepalese Princess Bhrikuti married  Song Zan Gampo, the earliest known ruler of China’s Tibet region. Princess Bhrikuti is widely believed to have brought Buddhists relics and Thangkas to Tibet.

Our cordial relation is based on deep understanding and close friendship. Our relation on people-to-people level between two countries is growing stronger day by day. Cultural and educational ties along with economic, trade, investment and tourism are expanding between the two countries. We are proud to have such a cordial relationship with great nation like China.

Nepal-China relationship is firmly based on fine principles of peaceful coexistence. Great rivers and beautiful Himalayas link Nepal and China. Our relation can be described as a mode of good neighborliness between a small and a large country with unique political systems. Our relation is so close and cordial that can be described as all-weather relation to mutual benefit.

Nepalese government and people always attach highest importance to China relations. China’s heartiest sympathy, support and friendly assistance to Nepal prove that China is our close and reliable friend. At the same time Nepal is also supporting one-China policy and not allowing any anti-Chinese activities in Nepalese soil. Taiwan and Tibet are integral parts of China. Nepal’s position and policy is constant.

The timely and frequent exchange of diplomatic visits between Nepal and China at higher level as well as individual level have significantly helped to strengthen and consolidate the relation of friendship between two friendly neighbors. Increasing interactions between our two countries have contributed to deepening and widening the relationship in the area of politics, culture, education, economy and beyond. As a good neighbor, China sincerely wants to see Nepal as a prosperous nation.

This year we are celebrating the Platinum Jubilee year of the establishment of diplomatic relation between Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal and the People’s Republic of China. Since, the establishment of diplomatic ties 70 years ago, the political relation and people to people relation between the two countries has been increasingly promoted. Both countries attach highest importance to celebrate the 70th anniversary.

Even, Nepal being a small and landlocked country, China always treats Nepal as a great and equal nation. China has been providing all the support to Nepal in critical areas every year. Nepal and China have always demonstrated a genuine spirit of goodwill and good neighborliness and worked together for their mutual benefit. There have been a lot of changes in international arena, but China’s policy to Nepal remains always steadfast.

Nepal and China have common cultural affinity, social linkage and familial relations. The two share a strong cultural and educational relationship, fostered through various initiatives and agreements. These include scholarship programs, cultural exchange programs, and the promotion of Chinese language education in Nepal.

In education area, there are scholarship programs, university collaboration, Chinese language education and Confucious Institute. In cultural area, there is cultural cooperation, cultural festivals and exhibitions, promoting tourism and handicrafts, sister city relations, shared cultural heritage and youth exchange. Lumbini Buddhist University and Beijing Language and Culture University of China have signed a cooperation agreement.

Besides its embassy in Beijing, Nepal has consulates general in Lhasa, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Chengdu and an honorary consul in Shanghai. Nepal and China have a long tradition of exchanging high-level visits on a regular basis which have been contributing to strengthening and consolidating bilateral ties.

Nepal and China are not only good neighbors but rely on each other since time immemorial. Geographically being a small country, Nepal always supports China’s stability and development as well as on important international issues. Prosperity of Nepal and China is a common interest for both countries. China’s compassion and warm-hearted feelings toward Nepal are very important. We have to continue consolidation of our relation from generation to generation.

Nepal's economic relations with China are characterized by increasing trade and investment. However, Nepal's trade with China has a significant deficit, with imports from China outweighing exports. The investment supports infrastructure projects, such as railway lines and dry ports, enhancing Nepal's connectivity and trade capabilities. China has pledged grant assistance to Nepal under the Economic and Technical Cooperation Program.

Being a close neighbor, China has done everything possible to further deepen the age-old friendly relationship and cooperation with Nepal and the Nepalese people. Nepal-China friendly and cooperative relations have, therefore, stood the test of time, which are expected to continue and get even stronger in days to come.

The two countries in 2025 mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations through a series of activities.

On Jan 23, 2025, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song and Speaker of the Nepali House of Representatives Hon Dev raj Ghimire jointly launched a series of celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and released a commemorative logo. The logo takes Mount Qomolangma as the core, integrating the Chinese dragon and the Nepalese eye of wisdom, symbolizing that the friendship between the two countries "shines with the sun and the moon", implying working together to build a closer community with a shared future.

At the Spring Festival reception held on the same day, China and Nepal showcased the results of their cultural exchanges through dance, music, calligraphy and other programs. For example, the folk music ensemble combining China's "Shanghai Ballad" and Nepal's "Kapok Blossoms" highlighted the cultural mutual learning between the two countries.

On May 5, Nepal's Girija Prasad Koirala Foundation held a photo exhibition in Kathmandu, displaying photos of diplomatic moments, high-level visits and cultural exchanges over the past 70 years. Former Nepali prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song jointly cut the ribbon.

On May 23, the SCO Demonstration Zone held a promotion conference in Kathmandu to promote cooperation between China and Nepal in the fields of road-rail transport, cultural tourism, etc. The two sides signed tea trade and cultural tourism exchange agreements, and Nepal also proposed a vision to deepen cooperation in the fields of agricultural product processing, new energy (such as solar energy and electric vehicles), etc.

In political mutual trust and reaffirmation of principles, Nepal has repeatedly reiterated its adherence to the one-China principle and its opposition to the use of its territory for anti-China activities; China supports Nepal in exploring a development path that suits its national conditions.

About future cooperation directions, important areas can include transportation interconnection (such as China-Nepal railway), energy development (hydropower and solar energy) and agricultural product trade; enhancing people-to-people friendship through tourism years, art performances, educational cooperation, etc; and multilateral mechanism coordination.

The 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China is not only a review of history, but also a starting point for future cooperation. Through cultural exhibitions, economic and trade docking and high-level dialogues, the two sides have further consolidated the "trans-Himalayan" partnership and injected new impetus into the construction of a community with a shared future.

The author is president of the Nepal China Cultural and Educational Council. 

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.