Newly appointed Chinese ambassador Zhang Maoming formally assumed office in Kathmandu on Friday, pledging to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and advance the long-standing friendship between Nepal and China.

In a message, the envoy said he was “deeply honoured” to take up the role entrusted by Chinese President Xi Jinping, describing the appointment as both a privilege and a responsibility.

Zhang was one of the deputy directors at the Department of Asian Affairs at the Chinese foreign ministry before being appointed the ambassador in Kathmandu.

He replaced Chen Song, who earlier returned to China after completing his three-year tenure and getting a promotion.

Highlighting the historical ties between the neighbours, Ambassador Zhang noted that Kathmandu and Beijing have maintained close relations for more than seven decades since establishing diplomatic ties. He said the partnership has been marked by mutual support on issues of sovereignty, development, and core national interests.

Nepal’s continued adherence to the one-China policy and China’s support for Nepal’s development path were described as key pillars of the relationship, he said in the message.

Zhang also recalled President Xi’s 2019 state visit to Nepal, which elevated bilateral ties to a “Strategic Partnership of Cooperation Featuring Everlasting Friendship for Development and Prosperity”. He said political trust has deepened since then, alongside progress in “high-quality cooperation” under the Belt and Road Initiative and expanding people-to-people exchanges.

Looking ahead, the ambassador said that 2026 — the opening year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan — will bring new opportunities for global cooperation, including with Nepal, as China advances modernisation and expands high-standard opening-up.

Nepal has long upheld the one-China principle and firmly supported Beijing on issues concerning China’s core interests and major concerns, the ambassador said in his remarks.

He also expressed readiness to work with Nepal to strengthen Global South cooperation and promote inclusive economic globalisation amid evolving global dynamics.

“Nepal is also at a critical stage of transformation and transition. At a time when changes unseen in a century are accelerating and turbulence and transformation are interwoven in the international landscape, China stands ready to work with Nepal to implement the four Global Initiatives, strengthen solidarity and cooperation among the Global South, and jointly promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation, so as to contribute to building a community,” the envoy noted.

Zhang pledged to work closely with Nepal’s government and society to expand cooperation across sectors, while ensuring the embassy continues to serve Chinese citizens in Nepal and protect their rights and interests.

Concluding his message, he called for joint efforts to advance the bilateral strategic partnership and build a “China-Nepal community with a shared future”.

“I look forward to working with friends from all sectors of Nepal to carry forward our traditional friendship and advance all-round exchanges and cooperation across all fields,” said Zhang. The Chinese Embassy in Nepal will continue “to practise people-centred diplomacy, serve as a trusted partner to Chinese nationals in Nepal, and act as a steadfast guardian of the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese nationals overseas”.

Upon arrival in Kathmandu on Friday afternoon, he took to the social media platform X to write, “Namaste! It’s my great honour to be appointed as the 23rd Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Nepal. Since my arrival, I have been warmly welcomed by friendly Nepali people and deeply impressed by the beauty and vitality of Nepal.

“Together with my colleagues, I look forward to working with all Nepali friends to further advance bilateral exchanges and practical cooperation and promote the growth of China-Nepal Strategic Partnership of Cooperation Featuring Everlasting Friendship for Development and Prosperity.”

Zhang is a familiar face in Nepal’s political and diplomatic circles, as he has in the past been a part of several meetings with Nepali officials and leaders. After presenting credentials to President Ramchandra Paudel, he will formally start his meetings and engagements in Kathmandu.