The latest progress in Nepal-China relations was the official visit to China by Nepal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable Shisir Khanal, from June 14 to 17, 2026. As the first visit to China by a member of Nepal’s new Cabinet, it also marked an important high-level engagement following the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries last year. The visit yielded fruitful outcomes.

During the visit, Foreign Minister Khanal paid a courtesy call on HE Wang Huning, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). He also held talks with HE Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, and met with HE Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee. The two sides had in-depth exchanges of views on Nepal-China relations, mutually beneficial cooperation across various fields, and international and regional issues of mutual concern, reaching a broad range of positive consensus.

The two sides agreed to further consolidate political mutual trust and continue to firmly support each other on issues involving their core interests. The Nepali side reaffirmed that the Taiwan question and Xizang-related issues are China’s internal affairs. Nepal unswervingly upholds the one-China principle, supports China’s full reunification, and will never allow any forces to use Nepali territory to undermine China’s interests. The Chinese side has always placed its relations with Nepal high on its neighbourhood diplomacy agenda. China’s friendship policy towards Nepal embraces all Nepali people. China will continue to support Nepal in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, back the new Nepali government in its smooth governance with the support of its people, and support Nepal in pursuing a development path suited to its national realities.

Both sides agreed that guided by high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, they should continue to align their development strategies, deepen practical cooperation across various fields, and enhance the quality and efficiency of bilateral relations. Four priority areas were identified.

• First, improving connectivity between the two countries by accelerating the development of cross-border transportation, border infrastructure and air links, thereby facilitating people-to-people exchanges and improving logistics efficiency.

• Second, deepening energy cooperation by expanding practical cooperation in electricity, power grids and clean energy, and enhancing Nepal’s energy security and green development capacity.

• Third, expanding trade and investment cooperation by optimising bilateral trade structures, encouraging mutually beneficial business cooperation, creating a fair, law-based and friendly business environment for Chinese enterprises investing and operating in Nepal, and enhancing both the scale and quality of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

• Fourth, strengthening exchanges on governance experience, promoting people-to-people exchanges, and expanding cooperation in education, youth, local government and media, thereby consolidating the public support underpinning Nepal-China relations.

Foreign Minister Khanal’s visit further deepened the shared understanding between the two countries and demonstrated their common aspiration and firm commitment to pursuing development together.

China and Nepal are friendly neighbours connected by mountains and rivers and bound by a shared future. The Himalayas stand between the two countries, yet they have never impeded the exchanges and friendship between the two peoples. Looking back, commercial and cultural exchanges have flourished for centuries, and mutual learning between civilisations has continued to deepen. Looking ahead, the two countries have supported each other on their development paths and advanced hand in hand, maintaining the sound and steady growth of bilateral relations.

Over the 71 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Nepal have always, despite changes in the international landscape and Nepal’s domestic circumstances, developed their relations on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The two countries have always treated each other with respect and equality, engaged in mutually beneficial cooperation, and set a good example of friendly coexistence between countries with different social systems and sizes.

In 2019, Chinese President HE Xi Jinping paid a successful historic state visit to Nepal, during which the two sides elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership of Cooperation Featuring Ever-lasting Friendship for Development and Prosperity. In 2025, the two countries jointly celebrated the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, carrying forward their traditional friendship, expanding mutually beneficial cooperation, and opening a new chapter in the development of bilateral ties.

Nepal has concluded its elections of the House of Representatives steadily as scheduled in March 2026 and successfully formed a new government. Under the new circumstances, both China and Nepal are at a crucial stage of national development and revitalisation, committed to improving people’s livelihoods, promoting development and advancing modernisation. Faced with complex development tasks and a changing external environment, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation is not only a practical necessity but also a strategic choice for the future. China actively supports the new Nepali government in its efforts to govern effectively and respond to the aspirations of the Nepali people for reform and development. The Nepali side has also reiterated its friendly policy towards China and expressed its readiness to deepen bilateral cooperation across various fields.

Today, the international situation is undergoing profound and complex changes, with uncertainty and instability on the rise. More than ever, developing countries such as China and Nepal need a stable environment for development and reliable partners for cooperation. China is committed to the path of peaceful development and to promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. China actively implements the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilisation Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, and advocates true multilateralism. China always prioritises its neighbourhood in its overall diplomacy and is committed to promoting regional peace, stability, development and prosperity and working with neighbouring countries to create a brighter future.

A close neighbour is better than a distant relative. History has repeatedly demonstrated that mutual respect is the most valuable asset in Nepal-China relations, mutually beneficial cooperation their most distinctive feature, and friendship between the two peoples their strongest foundation. China will always be a trustworthy and reliable good neighbour, friend and partner for Nepal in its pursuit of development, revitalisation and modernisation. China stands ready to work with Nepal to strengthen strategic communication, enhance development synergy, deepen practical cooperation and foster closer people-to-people ties, so as to advance the Strategic Partnership of Cooperation Featuring Ever-lasting Friendship for Development and Prosperity and deliver greater benefits to the two peoples.