Visits by heads of state and government of major countries to Nepal are rare. Visits by heads of state from countries like China, India, the US, and the UK are even rarer.

The visits of the heads of state of China and India, Nepal's two neighbors, are considered very fruitful from a diplomatic perspective. In this context, after the achievement of multi-party democracy in Nepal, Chinese President Jiang Zemin came on a two-day visit on November 19, 2006. He came to Nepal at the invitation of the then King Birendra.

Chinese President Jiang arrived in Nepal from Lahore on an Air China flight after visiting India and Pakistan. King Birendra himself went to the Tribhuvan International Airport to receive him. A few months ago, King Birendra and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had paid an official visit to China. That was considered the backdrop for President Jiang's visit.

A contingent of the then Royal Nepalese Army presented a guard of honour to President Jiang at the airport. The army gave Jiang a 21-gun salute. Before he arrived at the airport, a press release distributed by President Jiang discussed the relationship between the two countries, saying that Nepal and China are connected by mountains and rivers.

The statement said, ‘The Chinese government and people attach importance to the traditional friendly relations between Nepal and China.’ Recalling the 41st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China, the statement stated that the visit would enhance friendship and understanding between the two countries and expand the scope of cooperation.

The key to the metropolis was handed over to President Jiang by the Metropolitan Mayor PL Singh at a program organized at the National Assembly in Kathmandu. On that occasion, an artistic window and a letter of congratulations were presented to President Jiang on behalf of the metropolis. He accompanied King Birendra to the Narayanhiti Palace. A guard of honour was also presented in his honor at the palace. The national anthems of both countries were played on the occasion. The President was accompanied by Chinese Vice Premier and Foreign Minister Jiang Zemin and other ministers and Chairman of the Tibetan People's Government Gyaltsen Norbu.

On the same night, King Birendra hosted a state banquet at the Narayanhiti Palace and proposed a toast to President Jiang. On that occasion, the King expressed his desire to attract Chinese investment through trade, tourism and other sectors. He said, "For the mutual benefit of both countries, we want to expand economic activities by utilizing our resources through joint investment in trade, tourism and other sectors by involving the private sector."

The King recalled his visit to China, citing the example of Nepal-China being good neighbors for years. Praising China's efforts to improve the living standards of its citizens, King Birendra said, "The assistance provided by China for the construction of various development infrastructures in Nepal has greatly contributed to our development work." At the ceremony, President Jiang said that China is ready to work together with the Nepali people. He praised Nepal's foreign policy and said that the role played by Nepal in maintaining peace and stability and enhancing international cooperation is positive. He openly praised the development made by Nepal in the national economy. "The mountains connect both countries. The highest peak, Mount Everest, indicates the friendship between China and Nepal," he said. Kantipur Daily published a news story on the official visit of the Chinese President to Nepal on 20 Mangsir 2053 under the title "President Jiang Welcomed by His Majesty". Kantipur published the dinner hosted by King Birendra at Narayanhiti Palace in honor of President Jiang and the views expressed by the heads of state of both countries.