Chinese President Xi's visit makes headway in starting new chapter of relations between Nepal, China

Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Nepal in a hiatus of 23 years has made ways to start a new chapter of relations between Nepal and China. The visit has further strengthened the people-to-people level age-old bond of affinity between the two countries, and the relations have become a reliable partner in Nepal's journey to prosperity.

Furthermore, President Xi's visit is expected to play a meaningful role in taking relations between the two countries to a new pace and height and increasing mutual trust and understanding, while Nepal has exhibited diplomatic skills during the visit.

The signing of 20 different memorandums of understanding and agreements between the two countries and President Xi's bilateral meeting with a Nepali delegation led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli additionally support the fact that China is Nepal's friend in need.

Commitments to support Nepal's journey to prosperity, a feasibility study of trans-border railway project and the signing of a MoU to provide assistances in constructing tunnel way are main achievements of the President Xi's visit. President Xi's announcement to provide Rs 56 billion in economic assistance for the next two years is China's friendly approach towards Nepal.

This visit at the head of state level has been taken as creating an appropriate opportunity to show cordiality and renew relations at high political level between the two countries. Furthermore, it has helped to understand wishes and need of both the countries.

President Xi's statement to help make landlocked Nepal a land-linked country is an issue of pride and prestige for Nepal, in response to Nepal's President Bidya Devi Bhandari's statement to further consolidate Nepal-China relations which are based on principle of Panchasheel, mutual trust, honour and welfare. It is believed that China to some extent would support Nepal's goal of becoming a middle income country by 2030 from a least developed one by fulfilling a need for foreign investment and lack of internal resources.

Chinese side's positive reaction to Nepal's invitation to Chinese investors to invest in productive sector, infrastructures, water resources and social sector in Nepal is another achievement of Nepal.

The MoUs signed on witness of Prime Minister Oli and Chinese President Xi, especially the one between the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies of the government of Nepal and the Ministry of Commerce of the China on agreeing on the establishment of Joint Working Group on Trade and the establishment of Investment Cooperation Working Group between the Ministry of Finance of Nepal and the Ministry of Commerce of China are expected to aid in increasing mutual trade and investment between the two countries.

The bilateral agreement facilitating the export of citrus fruits from Nepal to China is also expected to boost Nepal's export.