15th Nepal-China DCM meeting concludes; agreement made to realize economic opportunities

KATHMANDU, JUNE 26: Foreign Affairs of Nepal and the People’s Republic of China reviewed the whole gamut of bilateral relations between Nepal and China and assessed the progress made in the implementation of agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed, and the decisions made in the past.

At the meeting held in Kathmandu yesterday, Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal led the Nepali delegation while the Chinese delegation was led by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Sun Weidong.

During the meeting, the two sides expressed a firm commitment to further promote cooperation in mutually agreed areas and to work towards realizing economic opportunities for mutual benefit.

Both heads of delegation reiterated that strong foundations of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, Panchsheel, mutual trust, goodwill, and understanding remain the guiding features of Nepal-China bilateral relations, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday evening.

On the occasion, Foreign Secretary Lamsal thanked her counterpart for the commitment of the Chinese side to enhancing development cooperation amidst Nepal’s LDC graduation in 2026, while Vice Minister Weidong appreciated Nepal’s commitment to the One-China Principle.

Both sides shared views on maintaining the tradition of regular exchanges of high-level visits. They discussed ways and means to further enhance cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, infrastructure development, connectivity, and agriculture, among others, including the promotion of Nepal’s tourism prospects in China in the context of the celebration of the year 2025 as ‘Visit Nepal Year in China.’

Both sides decided to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China with special programmes and activities in 2025. The two sides stressed the need to further activate the existing bilateral mechanisms and establish new ones, including the Joint Commission at the level of Foreign Ministers.

The Nepali delegation comprised the Joint Secretary and Head of the North East Asia Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Krishna Prasad Dhakal, and senior officials from the relevant ministries and agencies of the Government of Nepal.

Likewise, the Chinese delegation consisted of the Ambassador of China to Nepal, Chen Song, and other senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu.

Earlier on Monday, the Chinese Vice Minister paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda.’ He is scheduled to pay courtesy calls on President Ramchandra Paudel and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha today.

Vice Minister Weidong and his delegation arrived in Kathmandu on Monday and will depart for Beijing today, adds the statement.