PM Oli to embark on official visit to China today

KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 2: At the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is undertaking an official visit to the People's Republic of China from today to December 5. The delegation, led by Prime Minister Oli, will depart Kathmandu at 11:00 AM on a special chartered flight of Himalaya Airlines and is scheduled to arrive in Beijing at 6:10 PM local time. The visit aims to further deepen Nepal-China ties, which are rooted in a long history of friendship and cooperation, with all preparations now complete.

A cabinet meeting was held yesterday to finalize the bilateral agenda and areas of cooperation for the visit. The delegation comprises 78 members, including 46 from the government and 32 from the private sector. Eight additional members from the Nepalese Embassy in Beijing will join the government team, two of whom are already in China as part of the preparations.

The visit will include agreements on several significant projects through Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). Key projects include the Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project, the fourth phase of the Araniko Highway Improvement Project, the Hilsa-Simikot Road Project, the organization of the Korala border point, and the Tokha-Chhahare Tunnel Road Project. Additionally, bone marrow transplant services are planned to commence at the BP Koirala Cancer Hospital in Chitwan. Discussions have also advanced on agreements to procure 100 electric vehicles, 100 police vans, 50 school buses, and 50 ambulances.

As per the cabinet meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding between Nepal's public service broadcasters (Radio Nepal and Nepal Television) and China Media Group (CMG) will also be signed to deploy Chinese language volunteer teachers in Nepal. Furthermore, Nepal will accept an economic and technical grant of 300 million RMB from China as per the Cabinet's decision.

The official itinerary on December 3 includes a welcome by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, followed by bilateral talks and a signing ceremony. Prime Minister Oli will also meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. On December 4, he will deliver a keynote address at Peking University and speak at the Nepal-China Business Forum, co-hosted by the Nepalese Embassy in Beijing, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The day will also include a museum visit. The Prime Minister is set to return to Nepal on December 5 at 2:30 PM.

Extensive discussions on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and other areas of cooperation were conducted in preparation for the visit, involving senior leaders of the ruling CPN (UML) and Nepali Congress, as well as other stakeholders. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the visit would further explore collaboration in connectivity, investment, trade, tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure development.

Prime Minister Oli previously held a three-and-a-half-hour discussion with former Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers at Singha Durbar on November 25 to prepare for the visit. A subsequent Cabinet meeting on November 28 approved the delegation, including representatives from both the government and the private sector. Before the visit, Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba returned from bilateral talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Chengdu, Sichuan Province.

The delegation includes First Lady Radhika Shakya, Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, Chief Advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Economic and Development Advisor Dr. Yubaraj Khatiwada, federal parliamentarians, senior government officials, private sector representatives, and journalists.

This visit holds particular significance as Nepal and China will celebrate the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year. Recent developments, including China’s waiver of visa fees for Nepalese tourists and the reopening of all traditional border points, have strengthened bilateral ties, facilitating seamless cross-border movement of people, goods, and services.

Frequent high-level exchanges in recent years have enhanced Nepal-China relations. This visit is expected to further reinforce these ties and inject new momentum into bilateral cooperation.