29.14°C काठमाडौं
२०८२ जेष्ठ ३१ गते
29.14°C काठमाडौं
29.14°C काठमाडौं
China’s Foreign Policy and China-Nepal Relations
The current international situation is experiencing sharp turbulence, with rising unilateralism, protectionism, and bullying practices. The international system established after WWII is under severe strain. In this context, China’s foreign policy and vision are closely followed by the world. China and Nepal are neighbors linked by mountains and rivers and bonded by time-honored friendship. China attaches great importance to Nepal in its neighborhood diplomacy. Last December, Prime Minister Oli paid a successful visit to China. This year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Nepal. Our countries are embracing new opportunities for growing our strategic cooperative partnership for development and prosperity from generation to generation.
I. The core concept of China’s diplomacy in the new era: Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind
1. China’s solution towards a world of Turbulence and Transformation
At present, the world is undergoing accelerated changes. Changes in the world, in our times and in history are unfolding in ways like never before. The world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation. It is widely believed that the current international situation can be described by mainly two words: “turbulence” and “change”.
The term “turbulence” can be interpreted through four key dimensions. First, certain countries’ obstinate pursuit of hegemony has eroded the foundational principles of international cooperation, undermined universally recognized rules, jeopardized the international environment for peaceful development, and brought the world to a new crossroads.
Second, protracted regional conflicts have amplified security risks, creating persistent obstacles to global peace. Third, the global economic outlook remains pessimistic, particularly as the United States wields tariff sticks, severely damaging international multilateral trade rules and undermining global economic growth. Fourth, governance deficits plague the international system. Developing countries receive grossly inadequate support in addressing climate change, while significant regulatory gaps persist in emerging fields governance, especially regarding artificial intelligence. Non-traditional security threats, such as biosecurity risks, extreme weather, cyberattacks, and terrorism, continue to escalate.
Meanwhile, the “change” side is also quite obvious. Emerging markets and developing countries continue to rise collectively, with their share of global GDP surging from 24.5% in 1980 to 41.7% in 2023. This stands in stark contrast to the G7’s decline from 61.4% to 44.3% over the same period, profoundly reshaping the world economic landscape and the global balance of power. Developing countries are increasingly asserting their strategic autonomy, with solidarity and self-reliance becoming defining features. The Global South’s influence in international affairs and agenda-setting continues to grow. They are now forging development paths suited to their national realities.
History and reality consistently demonstrate that humanity shares a common future within our global village. Confronting worldwide turbulence and transformation, China proposes building a community with a shared future for mankind. This vision advocates:
Promoting green, low-carbon, circular, and sustainable models of production and consumption, advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
2. The core essence of the concept of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind
Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy is the fundamental guideline for China’s diplomacy, and building a community of shared future is the core concept of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. It is how China proposes to solve the questions of what kind of world to build and how to build it based on our deepening understanding of the laws governing the development of human society.
Mankind lives in the same global village and shares the same future. President Xi Jinping proposed the concept of building a community of shared future first in 2013. Over the past decade, this concept has been enriched with practice, and has gradually developed into a scientific system, which mainly includes six aspects. In summary, in building a community with a shared future for mankind, the goal is to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and shared prosperity, the pathway is promoting global governance that features extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, the guiding principle is to apply the common values of humanity, the basic underpinning lies in building a new type of international relations, the strategic guidance comes from the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and the platform for action is high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.
The building of a community of shared future for mankind has received more and more international recognition and has been written into the resolution of the UN General Assembly for eight consecutive years. China and Cambodia are the first in the world to establish a bilateral community with a shared future. China has also established bilateral community with a shared future with all central Asian countries and countries on the Indochina Peninsula. Last year, China and Serbia, the first European country, agreed to build a community with a shared future. Multilaterally, China-Africa community with a shared future, China-Latin America community with a shared future have been established.
The Belt and Road Initiative has become the best example of building a community of shared future. With the participation of more than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations, the BRI has become the largest platform for international cooperation. According to the World Bank, by 2030, investment related to the BRI will lift 7.6 million people out of extreme poverty and 32 million out of moderate poverty.
To build a community of shared future, we must face up to the major issues and challenges facing the world today. To this end, China advocates an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. The core is to advocate equal rights, equal opportunities and equal rules for all countries, promote democracy in international relations, jointly abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, practice true multilateralism, and address the imbalance in development among and within countries. In particular, we should ensure that the fruits of globalization benefit developing countries.
3. Three Global Initiative Guiding the Construction of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind
In the face of a new era of turbulence and transformation, President Xi Jinping has successively proposed the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, addressing three dimensions of economy, security, and civilization. These initiatives provide new directions for achieving global peace and stability, and a powerful impetus for building a community with a shared future for mankind.
(1) Global Development Initiative
Development is the eternal pursuit of human society. In recent years, the global economic recovery has been uneven, with the achievements of poverty reduction over the past decade being severely undermined. The number of people suffering from hunger has reached approximately 800 million, and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda faces new challenges. At the crossroads of the international development agenda, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI) during the 76th United Nations General Assembly in 2019. He called on the international community to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, promote stronger, greener, and healthier global development, and build a global development community.
The GDI starts from the goal of improving people’s well-being and achieving comprehensive human development, aligning with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It prioritizes cooperation in areas such as poverty reduction, food security, pandemic response and vaccination, development financing, climate change and green development, industrialization, digital economy, and connectivity. The initiative aims to foster international collaboration and inject new momentum into the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
Over the past three years, China has worked with its partners to deepen and implement the GDI. China has convened high-level dialogues and ministerial meetings of the “Friends of the GDI,” announced 32 concrete measures to implement the initiative, and expanded the Global Development Initiative Project Repository. It has also integrated the Global Development and South-South
Cooperation Fund, increasing its size to $4 billion. To date, over 100 countries and international organizations have supported the GDI, with nearly 70 countries joining the “Friends of the GDI.” A global development partnership based on unity, equality, balance, and inclusiveness is continuously taking shape.
(2) Global Security Initiative
Peace is the eternal aspiration of humanity, as essential as air and sunlight. In recent years, regional conflicts and turbulence have become more frequent. In 2022, at the opening of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Security Initiative (GSI), addressing the future and well-being of all humanity. The initiative is guided by six core principles:
The initiative combines macro-level strategic thinking with practical solutions to address real-world challenges, offering a viable approach to global security governance.
In 2023, China released the “Concept Document of the Global Security Initiative,” outlining 20 key cooperation areas and five major cooperation platforms. In response to issues such as the Ukraine crisis, the Afghan issue, and the Israel-Palestine conflict, China has issued position papers, consistently advocating for dialogue and peaceful resolutions. China’s successful mediation between Saudi Arabia and Iran has set off a wave of reconciliation in the Middle East. Promoting dialogue and resolving disputes through peaceful means has become a defining feature of the GSI. To date, the initiative has been supported and commended by over 100 countries and international organizations, and it has been incorporated into numerous bilateral and multilateral agreements between China and other countries. Related cooperation under the initiative is progressing steadily.
(3) Global Civilization Initiative
Civilization is a powerful spiritual force that unites countries and peoples. In 2023, during the high-level dialogue between the Communist Party of China and political parties from around the world, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). The initiative is built on four core principles:
Over the past two years, the GCI has gained depth and practicality, significantly promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. Successful meetings such as the Asian Civilization Conference, the Liangzhu Forum, the Third Dialogue on Civilizational Exchange and Mutual Learning, and the Nishan World Civilization Forum have been held under China’s initiative. Extensive bilateral and multilateral exchanges and cooperation between political parties have been carried out, along with diverse forms of people-topeople diplomacy, city diplomacy, and public diplomacy. These efforts have raised awareness of the value of civilizational exchange and restored confidence in international humanity cooperation.
In summary, the “Three Global Initiatives” represent the latest development of Xi Jinping thought on diplomacy. Together, they form the three pillars of the “community with a shared future for humanity.” These initiatives reflect China’s vision and roadmap for making continuous contributions to world peace, development, and prosperity.
II. The Goals of China’s Neighboring Diplomacy in the New Era: Building a Community with a Shared Future with Neighboring Countries
1. Common Vision: Building a Peaceful, Safe and Secure, Prosperous, Beautiful and Amicable Home
Building a Home of Peaceful: Safeguarding regional security and stability. The people of Asia have experienced the suffering brought by colonization, wars, and invasions, and thus cherish peace dearly. From proposing a security concept characterized by commonality, comprehensiveness, cooperation, and sustainability, China’s ideas and solutions align with the expectations of countries for enhanced global security cooperation.
Building a Home of Safety and Security: At this April, China’s Central Conference on Work Related to Neighboring Countries first proposed an Asian security model based on shared security, seeking common ground while setting aside differences, and engaging in dialogue and consultation. Rooted in China’s practice of jointly safeguarding security with its neighbourhood countries, this model enriches the concept of Asian security and provides innovative thought for Asian nations to achieve common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security. On full and effective implementation of the “Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea”, the proactive advancement of the “Code of Conduct in the South China Sea” consultations, the proper handling of sensitive issues in relations with neighbourhood countries, and the effective management of regional hotspot issues, China has consistently taken concrete actions to uphold regional security.
Building a Home of Prosperity: Walking hand in hand on the path to modernization. China’s prosperity cannot be separated from Asia, nor can Asia’s development be separated from China. China foster an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood, follow the policy and principle featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, continuously expands high-level openness, and strengthens friendly cooperation with neighbourhood countries, allowing its own development to better benefit its neighbors. As the main trade partner and an important source of investment for Asian countries, China works with neighbourhood countries to high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, fully implements the “Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement”, and strives to make Asia the most vibrant region of development in the world.
Building a Home of Beauty: Promoting sustainable development. Harmonious coexistence between humans and nature is the foundation for achieving sustainable development. Successfully hosting China-ASEAN dialogues and forums on climate change and ecological environment, as well as cooperation in salt-alkali land governance and water-saving irrigation with Central Asian countries, and jointly building arid zone agriculture joint laboratories. China, together with regional countries, upholds the concept of green development, accelerates the formation of green development patterns, and strives to balance emission reduction and development, building an Asian home where the economy and environment progress in tandem.
Building a Home of amicable: Strengthening the bonds of mutual understanding. China and its neighbourhood foster friendship through frequent exchanges, stand together in mutual support to build their home, and jointly advance the implementation of the Global Civilization Initiative, vigorously promoting the universal values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom shared by all humanity, continuously solidifying the foundation of mutual understanding and lasting friendship.
2. Guiding Principles: amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness
As a member of the Asian family and a responsible major country, China places great emphasis on its neighbour, adheres to the principles of amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood.
The Way to amicability: Lies in heartfelt exchanges and shared values. Respecting each other’s development paths, supporting each other’s core interests, and providing strategic support to one another have increasingly become the defining features of China’s relations with neighbour countries. China and its neighbour countries have jointly addressed challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and terrorism, and have overcome natural disasters like earthquakes and floods. It has written a beautiful story of sharing joys and sorrows among neighbors.
The approach for security: Lies in shared security and unity in cooperation. China actively practices a new security concept characterized by commonality, comprehensiveness, cooperation, and sustainability, and works with regional countries to build a multi-level security dialogue and cooperation mechanism. China has resolved boundary issues through negotiations with 12 land neighbors and has signed friendly cooperation treaties with 9 neighborhood countries. In the consultations on the “Code of Conduct in the South China Sea”, China has consistently addressed and resolved differences through friendly consultations, working with neighbors to jointly uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea. China promotes the effective management of regional hotspot issues and actively contributes Chinese wisdom and strength to their political resolution.
The Essence of prosperity: Lies in shared opportunities and mutually beneficial win-win outcomes. Strategic alignment, upgraded connectivity, and mutually beneficial trade and investment have deepened the integrated development between China and its neighbors. From the Shanghai Cooperation Organization becoming the world’s largest and most populous comprehensive regional cooperation organization, to the China-Central Asia mechanism becoming an important platform for deepening cooperation with the five Central Asian countries, and to the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation boosting the development of the Lancang-Mekong economic belt, China’s practical cooperation with its neighbors to deepen and yield tangible results.
3. Fundamental Guidance: Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness and inclusiveness
The Asian values draw from the region’s long history of civilization, providing a conceptual foundation for building an Asian community with a shared future.
Peace is the aspiration of the Asian people. Having experienced the suffering of colonization and wars, Asian peoples cherish peace and seek to build a harmonious and secure Asia. Over the past few decades, Asia has moved from poverty and turmoil to peace, stability, and prosperity, thanks to the region’s commitment to independence, mutual respect, and inclusivity, and to safeguarding a favorable environment for regional peace and stability. In the face of the resurgence of hegemony and power politics, and the constant emergence of security challenges, regional countries must collectively uphold the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, practice the security concept of commonality, comprehensiveness, cooperation, and sustainability, and continuously strengthen the foundation for enduring peace and stability.
Cooperation is the common need of Asia. Over the past few decades, Asia has maintained overall stability and sustained rapid economic growth, achieving the “Asian Miracle.” This miracle demonstrates that the key to regional development lies in win-win cooperation. Asian countries, being geographically close, are interconnected by shared interests and responsibilities. Looking to the future, Asia’s continued progress and the improved lives of its peoples depend on mutual assistance and cooperation. During his visit to Southeast Asia, President Xi Jinping reached over 100 bilateral cooperation agreements with Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, demonstrating China’s sincerity in exploring new opportunities for cooperation with regional countries to achieve win-win outcomes and mutual success.
Openness is Asia’s inevitable choice. Asia has become the region with the greatest development vitality and growth potential in the world, in part due to its proactive openness and integration into the global economy. At present, the resurgence of unilateralism and protectionism by certain major powers poses serious risks to regional development and prosperity. Standing at a new crossroads, no country in the region is willing or able to retreat into a closed-off island. Just as small boats cannot withstand rough seas, only by rowing together can we navigate safely. By working together to promote inclusive economic globalization and safeguard the open and interconnected regional cooperation framework, countries can better protect their interests in turbulent times.
Inclusivity is the cultural gene of Asia. Throughout history, Asian civilizations have flourished through exchange and mutual learning. Asian peoples understand the wisdom of seeking common ground while setting aside differences and embracing diversity. Regardless of their size, strength, or wealth, all Asian countries are equal members of the region; the domestic affairs of each country are decided by its own people, and regional matters are discussed collectively. This is both an Asia’s civilizational traditions and a wise choice in line with the times. By adhering to mutual respect, making consensus through consultation, and consideration for the comfort of all parties, the “Asian way” offers insights for properly handling international relations, promoting the establishment of new model of international relations, resolving frictions, and achieving mutual success, demonstrating its unique value in an era of shared future.
4. Main Platforms: High-Quality Belt and Road cooperation
The high-quality “Belt and Road” cooperation was first proposed in Aisa and has first benefited China’s neighbors. Currently, China has signed agreements on “Belt and Road” cooperation with 25 neighbors and has become the largest trade partner of 18 of them. The “Belt and Road” cooperation has also formed interconnected network covering China’s neighbors, promoting not only connectivity between China and its neighboring countries but also among regional countries and within them in terms of infrastructure, institutions, and people-to-people bonds.
5. Strategic Support: Model of security for Asia that features sharing weal and woe, seeking common ground while shelving differences, and prioritizing dialogue and consultation
We all live in this Asian family, where our interests are intertwined and our security is interdependent, making us increasingly a community of shared future where one country’s success or failure affects all.
Given Asia’s diversity in ethnicity, religion, culture, social systems, development paths, and economic levels, countries have differing perceptions and concerns regarding security issues. By creating a global security initiative experimental zone under the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation framework, successfully facilitating the historic reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and mediating a ceasefire agreement in northern Myanmar, China has contributed Asian wisdom to transcend social system differences and ideological divides and deepen regional security cooperation. China’s proposals for non-traditional security governance, such as the Global Artificial Intelligence Governance Initiative, Global Data Security Initiative, and Scientists’ Biosecurity Conduct Code: Tianjin Guidelines, aim to maximize consensus in the field of non-traditional security.
In terms of institutional development, China actively participates in the construction of regional security cooperation frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), China-ASEAN, China-Central Asia, and Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, and promotes the Beijing Xiangshan Forum and the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum (Lianyungang) as important platforms for global security governance. Additionally, China has facilitated the establishment of the International Mediation Institute in Hong Kong, offering a new option for peacefully resolving international disputes.
Asian security issues are highly complex, encompassing ethnic and religious conflicts, interference from external power, and the interweaving of traditional and non-traditional security threats. China consistently promotes peace and security through cooperation, fostering a shared awareness of cooperative security challenges among Asian countries and contributing harmonious wisdom and innovative win-win approaches to mitigate regional security risks.
Ⅲ. China’s contribution to Asia’s common prosperity
1. The significance of China’s own development to the development and prosperity of Asia
Since China began to open up and reform its economy in 1978, GDP growth has averaged over 9 percent a year, and more than 800 million people have lifted themselves out of poverty. In this process, China’s economy has been deeply integrated with the region. Given its size, China’s economy is undoubtedly the key driving force for Asia’s economic development.
In recent years, since China has taken the initiative to transform its economic development model, constantly stimulate new vitality, China plays a more positive role in the recovery and transformation of the Asian economy. China is a growing influence on other Asian developing economies through trade, investment, and ideas. For example, China is replacing the United States as the leading importer of consumer products for regional countries. According to the “Asian Economic Integration Report 2023”released by the Asian Development Bank, China contributed 64.2% to the economic growth of the Asia-Pacific region, and contributed 37.6% of the growth of trade in goods and 44.6% of the growth of trade in services.
Asia and the world have also benefited from China’s development concepts and initiatives. President Xi Jinping pointed out that China will better develop itself and benefit the world as it continues to broaden the new path of Chinese modernization. Other countries can not only learn from China’s poverty alleviation experience, but also how to explore their modernization pathways. China is ready to work with all countries to make sure that its new accomplishments in modernization will be new opportunities for global development.
2. China’s contribution to Asia’s economic development
First, cooperating with regional countries to build the Belt and Road Cooperation. China proposed the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, and last year is the tenth anniversary. China upholds the principle of planning together, building together and benefiting together. We have signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with 25 neighboring countries, and worked to synergize the BRI with cooperation plans of ASEAN and the Eurasian Economic Union. China has initiated the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Silk Road Fund to provide financial support for infrastructure projects.
In the past 10 years, China’s trade in goods with neighboring countries has increased by 78 percent. Now China is the largest trading partner of 18 neighboring countries. China’s investment in Asian countries has also continued to grow. A lot of fruitful outcomes have been achieved in connectivity construction and industrial cooperation. The operation of the China-Laos Railway and the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway have brought huge changes to the lives of local people. Regional countries recognized that BRI is an important public good provided by China for the development of Asian countries, which has spurred economic growth and improved people’s lives in relevant countries.
Second, actively promoting regional economic integration. China adheres to open regionalism, support trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and oppose trade protectionism and “decoupling”. China actively participates in multilateral cooperation, including the ASEAN-centered East Asia cooperation mechanism, China-Japan-ROK cooperation, and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). China took the lead in ratifying the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and worked for its entry into force and implementation. China-ASEAN Free Trade Area was established in 2010, and now China has completed the negotiation on version 3.0 with ASEAN. In the past decades, Asia has overcome market fragmentation, built closer economic linkages, thus opening up vast space for economic development. There is no doubt that China plays a vital role in Asia’s economic cooperation and integrated development.
Third, development cooperation between China and Asian countries. China has carried out development cooperation and provided development assistance with Asian countries through the United Nations, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Belt and Road platform and regional cooperation organizations for many years. China has also proposed Global Development Initiatives to help developing countries implement the United Nations’2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development. China has provided foreign assistance to more than 30 Asian countries in agriculture, public health, infrastructure, education, poverty reduction, post-disaster reconstruction, humanitarian relief, etc. I believe in the future, China will be more actively engaged in international development cooperation with countries in Asia, Africa and other regions, injecting Chinese power into global development.
Fourth, China has consistently been committed to maintaining long-term peace and stability in Asia. China’s development depends on a peaceful and stable external environment, that is why it firmly committed to the path of peaceful development. Additionally, China actively offers political solutions to regional hotspots. China advocates resolving disputes in the South China Sea through dialogue and consultation and has established a coordination and cooperation mechanism among Afghanistan’s neighbors and has resumed the dialogue between Chinese, Afghan, and Pakistani foreign ministers. Furthermore, China has facilitated dialogue among all parties involved in the North Korean nuclear issue and the Myanmar crisis.
3. Experiences of Asia’s long-term peaceful development
Since the end of Cold War, Asia has maintained a sound momentum of overall peace and stability, rapid development and overall improvement. Regional countries have enjoyed growing political mutual trust and ever deepening cooperation and exchanges. As a result, Asia has doubled its share of the world economy in a short span of 40 years, and made the leap from a region of low income to one of middle income. Especially since the global financial crisis in 2008, Asia has become the important engine in global economic recovery and growth, contributing more than 50 percent to global growth. In a word, Asia has embarked on a fast track toward modernization and create the Asia miracle.
The experience or the key of success of Asia is that most regional countries committed to independence, unity for strength, mutual respect, inclusiveness, mutual learning, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. As President Xi Jinping said that through hard work and wisdom, countries in the region have embarked on a development path with Asian characteristics featuring independence, mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, openness and inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation.
IV. China’s position on current CHINA-US relations and international hotspot issues
1. China-US relations are at a critical historical juncture
The China-US relationship is one of the most significant bilateral relations in the world, significantly influencing global peace and development. As two major global powers, the fact that China and the United States do not conflict or confront each other is a crucial peace dividend for humanity. Over the 46 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, bilateral trade between China and the United States has grown from less than 2.5 billion US dollars at the beginning to nearly 760 billion US dollars. Bilateral investments have increased from almost zero at the time of the establishment of diplomatic relations to over 260 billion US dollars. The breadth of cooperation, the depth of mutual interests, and the extensive impact are unprecedented. One of the key lessons from this history is that when the China-US relationship is strong, it not only enhances the well-being of the people of both countries but also promotes world peace, stability, and prosperity. Conversely, if the China-US relationship falls into confrontation, the damage will extend beyond just the two countries and affect the entire world.
Therefore, China has always pursued a stable China-US relationship based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and winwin cooperation. This approach is a summary of the experiences and lessons learned from more than half a century of China-US relations and a reflection of the principles governing interactions between major countries.
However, in recent years, the US policy towards China has been quite the opposite. The US adheres to its hegemonic thinking and regards China as the most serious geopolitical challenge and strategic competitor. Under the guidance of this wrong view of China, the US has intensified its containment and suppression of China. Under such circumstances, China will have to take resolute countermeasures.
However, China’s countermeasures are aimed at the wrong actions of the US in containing China, with the aim of drawing a red line for the US, prompting the US to revise its wrong policies towards China, and thus pushing China-US relations back onto the right track of healthy and stable development.
2. The Ukraine Crisis
The Ukraine crisis has been ongoing for over three years. The immediate priority is to halt the fighting and achieve a ceasefire. If the conflict continues, it often escalates and worsens beyond the parties ‘expectations. The end of any conflict lies at the negotiating table. To politically resolve the Ukraine crisis, four principles should be followed: first, all countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected; second, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter must be upheld; third, the legitimate security concerns of all countries must be addressed; fourth, all efforts that contribute to a peaceful resolution of the crisis must be supported. To achieve lasting peace, the relevant parties need to deepen dialogue and gradually build mutual trust, all peace proposals should be discussed fairly.
Ultimately, a balanced, effective, and sustainable European security framework must be established.
2. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict has resulted in over 30,000 Palestinian lives lost, more than 110,000 civilian casualties, and the displacement of millions. This is a challenge to human conscience. The Palestinian issue remains at the heart of the Middle East, crucial for regional peace and stability. History has repeatedly shown that the root cause of the recurring unrest in the Israeli-Palestinian situation lies in the failure to implement UN resolutions effectively, the erosion of the ‘two-state solution’ foundation, and the deviation of the Middle East peace process from its intended path. The essence of the Palestinian issue is to redress historical injustices, and it is essential to adhere to the establishment of a state based on the 1967 borders.
Ⅴ. China-Nepal Relations
1. Profound Historical Ties
China and Nepal are connected by shared mountains and rivers, boasting a history of friendly exchanges spanning over 1,600 years. In the early 5th century, the eminent Chinese monk Faxian and Nepalese monk Buddhabhadra visited each other’s countries, collaborating to translate Buddhist scriptures that endure to this day. During the Tang Dynasty, Nepalese Princess Bhrikuti married Songtsen Gampo, ruler of Tibet, while the revered monk Xuanzang visited Lumbini—the birthplace of Buddha Sakyamuni—leaving invaluable written records. In the 13th century, Arniko, Nepal’s master craftsman, led artisans to China and oversaw the construction of iconic landmarks including Beijing’s White Stupa at Miaoying Temple. Nepal also served as a vital hub on the ancient Silk Road’s southern branch—the “Musk Route”—where Chinese silk, tea, and porcelain flowed to India, while spices, gems, and handicrafts from the Indian subcontinent reached East Asia. These enduring civilizational and commercial exchanges profoundly shaped both nations’ historical development and social progress.
2. Modern Friendship: Anchored by the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence
Since establishing diplomatic ties on 1955, China and Nepal have steadfastly developed relations based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. While the Chinese people take pride in Mount Qomolangma (Sagarmatha), the world’s highest peak, we equally recognize its shared identity as a symbol of China-Nepalese friendship. Over 70 years, the two nations have forged a model of mutual respect, equality, solidarity, and win-win cooperation between countries of different social systems and sizes. They resolutely support each other on core interests: China firmly backs Nepal’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, supporting its exploration of a development path suited to its national conditions; Nepal adheres to the One-China policy, affirming Taiwan and Tibet as inseparable parts of China, and prohibits any anti-China activities on its territory. Nepal’s Consulate General in Lhasa—the sole foreign diplomatic mission in Tibet—exemplifies the nations’ profound mutual trust.
Since the 18th Communist Party of China National Congress, President Xi Jinping’s neighborhood diplomacy philosophy of “amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness” has elevated China-Nepal relations as a priority in building a shared future. The 2017 Memorandum of Understanding on Belt and Road cooperation accelerated infrastructure (“physical connectivity”), standards alignment (“institutional connectivity”), and people-to-people bonds (“emotional connectivity”). President Xi’s historic visit to Nepal in October 2019—the first by a Chinese head of state in 23 years—and Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s reciprocal visit that year marked the first-ever exchange of state visits within a single year. The two sides elevated ties to a “Strategic Partnership of Cooperation Featuring Ever-lasting Friendship for Development and Prosperity,” signifying a new historical phase defined by shared goals, heritage, and high-level collaboration.
3. Economic Cooperation: Enhancing Connectivity, Sharing Development Opportunities
Recent years witnessed transformative projects: the Arniko Highway Phase III upgrade, Kathmandu Inner Ring Road Phase I, Tatopani Border Station, Pokhara International Airport, and upgrades to Tribhuvan and Gautam Buddha Airports. China continues training Nepalese railway specialists, advancing feasibility studies for the China-Nepal cross-border railway (Kathmandu-Kerung), with the 9th Railway Cooperation Meeting scheduled soon. This “railwayhighway-airport” trinity cooperation is transforming Nepal from a “landlocked” to “land-linked” nation, forging a trans-Himalayan connectivity network that benefits both countries and the region. Beyond infrastructure (roads, airports, power, water), China has built schools and hospitals in Nepal, tangibly improving local livelihoods.
Bilateral trade hit 55 billion yuan ($7.7 billion) over five years at an 11.7% average annual growth, making China Nepal’s secondlargest trading partner. Key Chinese exports include EVs, ICT products, garments, footwear, and instruments; imports from Nepal feature silage, leather, metal products, flour, and electronics. From December 1, 2024, Nepal enjoys zero-tariff access to China.
4. People-to-People Bonds: Deepening Understanding, Strengthening Friendship
Confucius Institutes at Kathmandu University and Tribhuvan University, plus a Confucius Classroom at L.R.I. School, serve over 30,000 learners, supplemented by hundreds of Chinese language volunteer teachers across Nepalese schools. As Mandarin and Chinese culture gain popularity, mutual understanding flourishes.
Nepal remains a beloved destination for Chinese tourists. In 2024, Nepal welcomed 1.14 million international visitors, including 101,900 Chinese (ranking third). From January-April 2025, Chinese tourists reached 36,903 among 415,000 foreign arrivals. As 2025 marks the “China-Nepal Tourism Year,” more Chinese travelers are expected to explore Nepal, while Nepalese friends are warmly welcomed to visit China.
5. Jointly Upholding International Justice and Developing Countries’ Interests
As fellow Global South members and ancient Asian civilizations, China and Nepal share broad common interests in international affairs. They jointly uphold the UN-centered international system, international law-based order, and UN Charter principles. Both advocate for equitable global governance, inclusive globalization, multilateralism, and trade liberalization—opposing unilateralism and protectionism. They enhance coordination within the UN framework and on regional issues, advancing a more just international order toward a shared future for humanity.
China’s friendly policy toward Nepal—embracing all parties and people—remains consistent. We firmly support Nepal’s sovereignty, dignity, independent development path, and self-determined policies. On the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties, China and Nepal will continue striving side by side to realize national rejuvenation and Nepal’s vision of “Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali.”
(The article is the edited version of the lecture delivered by Dr. Yang Chenxi at the fourth edition of Professor Yadu Nath Khanal Lecture Series 2025 on June 13, a program organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepal.)
