Key facts
- Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal met China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing.
- The meeting followed Khanal's recent visit to India.
- Discussions covered bilateral ties, including connectivity, trade, and Belt and Road Initiative projects.
- China reaffirmed support for Nepal's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- Nepal reiterated its commitment to the one-China policy.
- Nepal's new government aims to leverage China's technological know-how and attract investment.
- Discussions included cooperation in agriculture, health, tourism, and science and technology research.
- Nepal is in active discussion with Starlink and Huawei over internet services.
- China reiterated its commitment to building Nepal's infrastructure, including power generation and highways.
- Analysts suggest Beijing may be concerned about the new Nepalese government's outcome and potential Western influence.
Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal met with China's top diplomat Wang Yi in Beijing, discussing bilateral ties and cooperation amid the new Nepalese government's focus on economic growth and attracting investment. Khanal stated Nepal's priority is to grow its economy, increase exports, and create jobs through investment, acknowledging a significant trade deficit with China. He noted that Nepalese traders have not yet fully leveraged Beijing's tariff-free access for over 8,000 goods, partly due to past political instability.
Discussions covered cooperation in agriculture, health, tourism, and science and technology research. Khanal confirmed Nepal is in active discussions with Elon Musk's Starlink and China's Huawei for internet services, pending legal and regulatory changes. China, through Wang Yi, reiterated its commitment to supporting Nepal's infrastructure development, including power generation, highways, ports, and aviation, as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, though financing disagreements have previously impacted project delivery.
Analysts suggest Beijing may be concerned by the outcome of Nepal's recent election, which brought the Rastriya Swatantra Party to power, and the country's engagement with the U.S. Khanal emphasized Nepal values its relationships with each country individually, singling out India as a potential export market and China as a key source of tourists. The visit follows Khanal's trip to India and is part of the new administration's push for engagement with both major powers.