Boudhanath in Kathmandu, Nepal. [Photo/VCG]

Fundamentals of Bilateral Relations

The year 2019 remained a historic one in the annals of bilateral relations between Nepal and China. From October 12 to 13, 2019, President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Nepal. This is his first visit to Nepal, and also the first by a Chinese head of the state in 23 years, which is of great historical significance. During the visit, President Xi and President Bidya Devi Bhandari made a joint statement that both sides decided to, "in the spirit of solidarity and win-win cooperation, elevate the bilateral relationship to Strategic Partnership of Cooperation Featuring Ever-Lasting Friendship for Development and Prosperity."

Earlier, President Bhandari paid a state visit to China in the fourth week of March 2019, held meeting with President Xi and attended the second International Belt and Road Cooperation Forum. Several agreements were signed during the visit. As the then Ambassador of Nepal to China, I was honored to participate in the reception and attend historic meetings of President Xi with Nepali leaders during both the visits. Both the countries have agreed to develop their relations under the broader theme of trans-Himalayan multi-dimensional connectivity network. Thus, the friendship between Nepal and China entered a new era after the agreements signed and understandings reached during both the visits.

Nepal and China have unflinching faith on the ideals of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. Our relationships are founded on the principles of Non-alignment, Mutual Benef it, Non-aggression and Good Neighborliness. Looking back to the history, Nepal and China enjoy a long, deep-rooted and illustrious friendship, cooperation and exchanges. Three fundamental pillars, viz. cultural, political and economic, of the bilateral relations between Nepal and China have been growing steadily. The bilateral friendly relationship has always remained trouble-free and cordial. It has been developing from strength to strength since the establishment of diplomatic relations in August 1955 and reached a new height in the recent years. Relations between the two nations have been defined by bilateral treaties and are exemplified as a model of equality, ever-lasting friendship and comprehensive cooperation between neighboring countries of different sizes and strengths.

China has been relentlessly and unambiguously supporting to Nepal's core interest in upholding the country's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity since the founding of the People's Republic of China. China's firm and continued support of Nepal's development endeavors through government channel without intervention in Nepal's internal matters is commendable. Irrespective of often changing regimes and governments in Nepal, China's development cooperation remained substantial for improving socio-economic status of the Nepali people. China never supported anti-incumbent forces of Nepal, unlike many regional and global powers who have been inflicting in internal matters for changing regimes and/or government by blatantly violating sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nepal. The Nepali people admire the Chinese standpoint of not interfering in Nepal's internal matters and working with the incumbent government chosen by Nepali people.