Nepal and China reaffirm strategic ties as Foreign Minister Khanal holds talks with Wang Yi in Beijing

Nepal's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shisir Khanal, held extensive bilateral talks today with  Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Minister for Foreign Affairs, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and expanding multi-sectoral economic cooperation between the two neighboring nations.

During the substantive discussions, both delegations reviewed the entire gamut of Nepal-China relations, emphasizing mutual friendliness, goodwill, and strategic cooperation. The Nepali delegation reaffirmed the Government of Nepal's firm and unwavering commitment to the One China Policy, assuring that Nepali territory would strictly not be permitted for any activities directed against China.

In response, the Chinese Foreign Minister reiterated China's firm commitment to respecting and safeguarding Nepal's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence. Minister Wang Yi further assured China's comprehensive support toward the Government of Nepal's core national priorities, particularly in advancing good governance and sustainable economic growth.

Acknowledging mutual respect and a shared commitment toward addressing each other's strategic priorities and sensitivities, the high-level talks focused heavily on advancing multi-sectoral cooperation. Detailed deliberations were held regarding cross-border infrastructures, connectivity projects, border management systems, energy cooperation, trade facilitation, and targeted investment initiatives.

Additionally, the two sides explored avenues for enhanced cooperation in agriculture, technology transfer, information technology, digitalization, tourism promotion, the steady supply of chemical fertilizers, and joint petroleum and natural gas exploration. The strengthening of historical people-to-people relations also formed a core component of the bilateral agenda.

Both nations expressed a robust commitment toward the expeditious implementation of various development programs and projects mutually agreed upon in past summits. Furthermore, they emphasized the vital importance of expanding diplomatic alignment and advancing cooperation on matters of common interest across multiple multilateral and regional forums. Following the high-level meeting, Foreign Minister Khanal attended an official dinner hosted in his honor by Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

As part of his official itinerary in Beijing, Minister Khanal also held a separate, high-level meeting earlier in the day with Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC). The two leaders engaged in a productive exchange of views regarding the institutional strengthening of Nepal-China relations, with a specific focus on enhancing party-to-party exchanges and institutional dialogues.

Concluding his official engagements for the day, Minister Khanal visited the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Beijing. After receiving comprehensive briefings on the scientific activities of the institute, the Foreign Minister lauded its ongoing collaboration with prominent Nepali institutions, including Tribhuvan University, and heavily emphasized the growing need for deepening scientific and technological cooperation between the two nations.