Kathmandu – The Embassy of China in Nepal organized a program in Kathmandu on Thursday to mark the 71st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China and hold the award ceremony of the 2026 Nepal-China Friendship Short Video Competition, where Nepal reaffirmed its commitment to the One China principle and pledged that Nepali territory would not be allowed to be used against China’s interests.
Speaking at the event, Nepalese Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai said Nepal-China diplomatic relations are founded on the principles of Panchasheel, good neighborliness, mutual partnership, cooperation, equality and respect for each other’s sensitivities.
The 71st anniversary was “not merely an entry in the diplomatic calendar, but a reflection of our enduring relationship,” Rai said.
He noted that over the past seven decades, bilateral relations have expanded from traditional ties and cultural exchanges to a comprehensive partnership aimed at shared prosperity.
High-level visits and exchanges at various levels have added dynamism and vitality to bilateral relations and further strengthened bilateral friendship, Rai said.
He added that Nepal and China remain committed to multilateralism and a rules-based international order and have cooperated in various multilateral forums on issues of common interest.
Rai said Nepal is proud of China’s remarkable economic achievements and, as a close neighbor and good friend, seeks to learn from China’s development experience and deepen economic cooperation with China’s rapidly growing economy.
Highlighting progress in trade, investment, infrastructure, tourism, education, culture and people-to-people ties, Rai said Nepal would attach importance to the Trans-Himalayan Multidimensional Connectivity Network and its early implementation.
Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Nepal and China have respected, trusted and supported each other regardless of changes in the international environment, becoming good neighbors, good friends and good partners who stand together in both good times and difficult times.
He said political mutual trust has deepened since the formation of Nepal’s new government and that high-quality Belt and Road cooperation is advancing with tangible outcomes. New progress has also been made in trade and economic cooperation, infrastructure, connectivity, energy, agriculture, education, health and tourism, he said.
Zhang expressed satisfaction with the response to this year’s Nepal-China Friendship Short Video Competition, saying short audio-visual content can transcend language, distance and cultural boundaries and reach wide audiences in the digital age. He said the submitted videos captured different aspects of Nepal-China relations as well as the natural beauty of both countries.
The ambassador said people-to-people exchanges give life to bilateral relations, which are not only reflected in diplomatic documents but also in extensive cooperation, exchanges and visits between the two peoples.
At the ceremony, Dipesh Syangdan received the first prize and 50,000 Nepali rupees in the Nepal-China Friendship Short Video Competition. Other winners were also awarded and honored.
Leaders of various political parties, diplomats, business representatives and people from different sectors attended the event.
