Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal Reaches China for Four-Day Visit

Kathmandu. Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal has reached China for a four-day visit. Minister Khanal, who returned from a visit to India on Jestha 24, departed for China on Saturday midnight, six days later.

He has gone to China at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Minister Khanal was welcomed at Beijing Airport by officials from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the acting ambassador of the Nepali Embassy in China, Roshan Khanal.

Minister Khanal's visit, immediately after returning from India, is being viewed with interest. Many consider this visit as 'balanced diplomacy', while some argue that this visit is to allay China's suspicions.

China has been expressing concern through various channels about the recent political developments in Nepal.

Bipin Acharya, former president of the Nepal-China Friendship Association, said that these issues would definitely be raised during the visit. 'Minister Khanal will clarify China's concerns. China may inquire about issues such as American interest in Nepal and TOB's involvement in the Gen Z movement,' he said, adding, 'They are also interested in the foreign policy of the current government.'

After the government led by Balen was formed, there have been continuous high-level visits from America to Nepal. The movement of American diplomats in Nepal has increased. Recently, Ravi Lamichhane, chairman of the ruling party Rastriya Swatantra Party, and Foreign Minister Khanal visited India.

Former Nepali Ambassador to China, Tanka Karki, said that visiting China immediately after visiting India is a positive thing for Nepal. 'Nepal should maintain good relations with both neighboring countries. It should not favor one over the other,' he said, 'It should also be able to take advantage of that relationship.'

He stated that Nepal has not been able to benefit from its two neighboring superpower countries.

Former Ambassador Karki believes that relations between countries are beneficial only when they are state-to-state, rather than ideological. He clarified that party-level relations with countries are of no benefit, and argued that past governments had not been able to gain much because they maintained relations based on party ideology. He also cautioned the government and the ruling party RSP that this should not happen again.

Dr. Kalyanraj Sharma, coordinator of the Nepal China Friendship Forum, said that this is the first high-level visit from Nepal to China after the government led by Balendra Shah was formed, and it is being viewed with importance. He stated that Foreign Minister Khanal going to China immediately after completing his visit to India is a model of diplomatic balance. He claimed that this visit would further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

As it is an official visit by Foreign Minister Khanal, discussions may also be held on various projects currently being implemented between Nepal and China. Sharma said that discussions could also be held on old projects and issues like BRI.

A meeting of the Nepal-China Cooperation Program and Project Implementation Facilitation Mechanism was held in Nepal a few days ago. Discussions were held in that meeting regarding China's projects in Nepal.

In 2024, during his visit to China, then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli signed the BRI framework. An agreement was reached between the two countries to advance ten projects under it. However, many projects are stalled due to various reasons. It is rumored that China will show interest in the status of these projects during the Foreign Minister's visit. Discussions are also expected to be held on projects in Nepal being operated with Chinese grants and concessional loans.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sources have indicated that discussions will be held on projects such as the Syafrubesi-Rasuwagadhi Highway Maintenance and Improvement Project, the Chilisime-Rasuwagadhi-Kerung 220 KV Transmission Line Project, the Nepal-China Cross-Border Railway Project, the Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project, the Tokha-Chhahare Tunnel Road, and the Hilsa-Simkot Road.

According to sources, some Memoranda of Understanding will also be signed after the discussions. Nepal has made the necessary preparations for this. An official from the ministry said that much of the agreement will depend on China's wishes.

The Nepali Embassy in China is organizing an investment conference. Foreign Minister Khanal will be the chief guest at that conference. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that Chinese businessmen will be encouraged to invest in Nepal.

Bilateral discussions will be held between China and the Nepali delegation on Monday. Discussions on the relationship between the two countries and development construction activities are expected to take place during those discussions.

After Foreign Minister Khanal returns, a high-level visit from China to Nepal is expected. The embassies of both countries have already started preparations for it.