57 years of Nepal-China relations

As both China and Nepal are old civilizations, the deeply- rooted friendship between our two peoples has a long history. As early as 406 AD, the Chinese monk Fa Xian visited Nepal. After returning home he wrote books about his visit, and became the first friendly envoy who introduced Nepal to the Chinese people. During Yuan Dynasty, the famous craftsman Arniko came to China and built White Pagoda of the Miaoying Temple, which had been considered as a landmark of friendly exchanges between the two peoples that had been told for generations. 57 years ago, On August 1st, 1955 our two countries signed the “Joint Communiqué” in Kathmandu which marked the establishment of diplomatic relations, and the traditional friendly relations between the two countries have entered a new historical stage of all-round development.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 57 years ago, the political relation between the two countries has been increasingly promoted. Chinese state and CPC leaders have frequently visited Nepal. The leaders of the two countries have always been promoting our bilateral relationship from a strategic perspective, and have pointed out the right direction for the development of bilateral relations. China supports Nepal’s efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and independence. Nepal firmly stands with China on Taiwan, Tibet-related and other issues involving China’s core interests. The two countries have maintained close coordination and cooperation in international affairs, which has made us trusted friends and partners.

Over past 57 years, the pragmatic cooperation between the two countries has been fruitful. The bilateral economic and trade cooperation have been expanding, and the trade volume reached nearly 1.2 billion US dollars in 2011, increasing by 61% in the context of the international financial crisis and European debt crisis. The two countries have successfully carried out a series of mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as agriculture, hydropower, infrastructure construction which have already benefited people’s livelihood. China has also provided a variety of economic and technical assistance within its capacity to Nepal’s economic and social development, including water conservancy and hydropower projects, road and housing construction, garbage and sewage treatment.

Since 1955, the friendship between the two peoples has been continuously deepened. China has already sent seven Chinese medical aid teams to provide medical services to patients in Nepal for many years. Over the past five years, through the unremitting efforts of the eight teams of Chinese volunteer teachers, the Confucius Institutes and Classrooms have become the most important base of spreading Chinese language and culture in Nepal. Each year, China provides 100 government scholarships and a variety of technical training programs to Nepal. The local exchanges between the two countries have also been increasingly enhanced, and three pairs of cities have already become sister cities, and some cities are now actively exploring the establishment of friendly relations and cooperation. Each year, a large number of Chinese tourists come to Nepal. In 2011, the number of Chinese tourist reached over one hundred thousand, increasing by 142.7% compared to 2010.

Looking back the course of the development of China-Nepal relations, every step we take forward is embodied the painstaking work by many friends . On this auspicious occasion, please allow me to extend my highest esteem to the state leaders of our two countries who have continuously paid attention to and given direction to the development of our bilateral relations, and express my sincere gratitude to people from all social works of life who have contributed to China-Nepal friendship. We all know that friendly personage is an important force to promote the bilateral relations for generations, and their contributions will be etched in the historical monument of China-Nepal friendship. 

( Excerpts from the address by China’s ambassador to Nepal Mr. Yang Houlan at the celebration of the 57th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Nepal held by Nepal-China Society on Aug. 1)

2012-08-02