While celebrating the 70th anniversary of China-Nepal diplomatic relations in Kathmandu and Beijing, I remembered a trip I made to Purang in Tibet across the border of far-western Nepal. A few months ago, there was a very attractive gathering of Nepalese and Chinese traders in that Himalayan village, also called Taklakot, located at an altitude of about 4,000 meters.

A few thousand Nepali merchants came to the business town located in the lap of the holy Kailash mountain through Urai, Hilsa, Tinkar, Lipulek passes of western Nepal carrying traditional goods like doko, nanglo, sakhkhar, kathe pots. They have been trading like that for years under a single pass that allows residents of the border districts of both countries to travel up to 30 kilometers into each other's countries . From there, they have a schedule for years to return to Nepal with Chinese clothes, food and electronics.

Since my PhD study is about the Terai of Nepal, I have closely seen the rare relationship created by the Nepal-India open border . But even though I spent several years in Lhasa, I felt the lively Nepal-China relationship at the grassroots level like in Taklakot for the first time. Sitting in Kathmandu, it seems as if China is far away. But the closeness of the two countries is best seen in Taklakot. The people of the two countries gathered there are a strong bridge that keeps the mutual relationship alive at the people level. 

A few months ago, when I was reaching Rasuwa from Nepal, I met a couple who were traveling to China with two small children at the mouth of the Miteri bridge. Although they were very excited to celebrate the holiday, they said that they would decide where to go and what to see. In particular, I found an example of how simple and easy the people-to-people relationship between the two countries is.

Rasuwa's story is different now. The flood in Lhendekhola at the beginning of June has reduced more than two-thirds of the direct import-export route between the two countries to zero. Two months before that, I was shocked by the complicated geographical situation. Some of the electric cars brought from China and waiting for customs clearance were crushed by the stones falling from the steep mountains. Before the onset of monsoon, the question of how to take the bilateral trade to a new level with the narrow and damaged road kept playing in my mind. But Chinese engineers studying railways and working on roads were also found there. These hopes and disappointments are the latest pictures of the relationship between the two countries.

Special time after 7 decades

This time after 7 decades of formal relations of the modern era is special for both countries . The ambitions of Beijing and Kathmandu are currently on the rise. The world's second largest economy or the first manufacturing economy or exporter China's neighbor is on the verge of becoming a developing country from a less developed country. Therefore, this is the most appropriate moment to draw a new line for the future of bilateral relations.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1955, China and Nepal have been cooperating under the guise of five principles of peaceful coexistence. In the past decade, both have achieved significant progress in political trust, economic cooperation, infrastructure development and public involvement. It has also added vitality to regional stability and development. However, amid the complexity of world geopolitics and the unique challenges of this region, China-Nepal relations need to move to the level of a stronger and deeper strategic partnership. This article has tried to analyze the past, present and future of China-Nepal relations through three main concepts.

Building strong trust

The cornerstone of China-Nepal relations rests on strong trust. Over the past 70 years, there have been high-level visits from both sides. Not only at the government level but also through inter-party dialogue and cooperation and cooperation in international issues, an atmosphere of deep political trust has been created. Historical milestones such as the visit to Nepal by Prime Minister Chou Enlai in 1960 laid the foundation of friendship. In this century, the reciprocal state visits made by President Xi Jinping and the then President Bidya Devi Bhandari in 2019 and 2020 have strengthened the bilateral political trust . On the international stage, both China and Nepal have been standing firmly on issues of Nepal's important interests, continuously supporting each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He has proved that China has no vested or secret interests in Nepal over a long period of time. He has no geographical issue . Instead, we have an example of Beijing presenting an unprecedented generosity at the time of delimitation through Everest . Beijing's interest is only that Nepal respects China's basic interests as a prosperous and stable neighbor. Beijing believes that its security can be ensured only when its neighbors are strong and prosperous, especially on the western border of Gansu, Yunnan, Tibet and Xinjiang. Any external threat against China's geographical integrity is its 'red line'. Despite being a country that has experienced frequent political changes, China has always given importance and respect to the steadfast support of Nepal's government and parties from all sides in favor of the One China policy.

Since the signing of the Belt and Road (BRI) cooperation agreement in 2017, the bilateral strategic trust has deepened . It can be considered as a new mode for bilateral cooperation. During Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's visit to China in 2024, the two countries signed a new Belt and Road cooperation framework covering cross-border electricity connection, agricultural modernization and digital infrastructure. This reflects a high degree of uniformity in development path and objectives. But even though there are discussions about billion dollar plans in the capitals of the two countries, cutting down a tree or moving a common infrastructure to another place is not able to speed up the work of one or two billion rupees in Nepal.

is a subject that has to be constantly challenged. China has always been committed to the principle of non-interference, unconditional and mutual benefit. Beijing has always been focused on sharing development dividends . It is only Nepal that will benefit from being able to understand that rhythm. For a self-reliant and truly independent Nepal, China wants to help by instilling long-term confidence in its capabilities. A clear and forward-looking understanding of Chinese strategy is necessary in Nepal's political circles. These parties are responsible for the complaints that things are not being done according to Nepal despite the high expectations towards China.

Developing a clear vision

As the climate of trust continues to strengthen and its cornerstones are established through agreements, surface work should become a priority. Common and strategic approaches to cooperation are increasingly important. Stability is always an important condition for development. China's own history also shows that. Beijing has been looking for a stable government in Nepal for several years. As the political transitions continue, there is a growing understanding that the atmosphere will be positive even if there is at least a stable policy.

China-Nepal relations should not be limited to a single project or short-term gains . Instead, both parties need to build a comprehensive roadmap for long-term partnership. The benefits of focusing on the ``Strategic Partnership for Development and Prosperity that spans across generations'' envisioned jointly by the two countries will be far-reaching. Especially for the ambitious railway project, there is still a debate in Nepal about loans or grants. There may be debates on the format of the loan. But the last time China used to give such large grants was in the 1970s to African countries like Tanzania and Zambia. That was the context at the height of the Cold War and before China itself embraced openness. It has been decades since Beijing left such a path. The Nepali leadership should understand that even in the form of a grant, it is something that will work for the small Vartheg. It is impossible to imagine a transformation from that.

If we consider only money as important, we are missing out on the special collaboration that can be done in strategy and plan development. Nepal especially needs to understand that China is looking at Nepal as a major partner in expanding the Belt and Road concept in South Asia. China's trade with India is growing even though mutual differences remain. As Delhi's second largest trading partner, China has an annual trade of more than USD 127 billion. In the same way, Nepal, which sees China as a reliable development partner and an important force that maintains regional stability, can realize real change only through its trade expansion. Therefore, building a China-Nepal community is not only useful for development but also for its strategic and geopolitical implications.

Economically, bilateral cooperation shows an unprecedented potential that has not been experienced yet . In 2024, trade between China and Nepal will reach 1.48 billion US dollars . There, China is Nepal's second largest trading partner and top import source. However, since Nepal's exports to China are very low, it continues to increase the serious trade imbalance . To address that, cooperation can be deepened in three ways . First, to expand Nepal's export of special products such as agricultural materials and handicrafts to China. Second, encouraging Chinese investment in Nepal's industrial development and job creation. Third, increase cooperation in green energy, digital economy and sustainable development.

There is a strong cultural and emotional relationship between China and Nepal on the people's front. In 2024, China was Nepal's second largest tourist source, from where nearly 100,000 Chinese arrived. This year, programs to promote Nepal visit are being widely held in China. China is also conducting scholarship and training programs for Nepalese youth. The two countries should expand cooperation and cooperation in the fields of education, tourism, religion and culture. Forums such as Confucius Institutes and 'Chinese+Vocational Skills' programs have the potential to deepen mutual understanding and shared identity.

The most important thing is that both sides must point out a point of agreement for their shared vision. It is possible to transform their relationship into a strategic community linked by geographical proximity, common development, mutual security and cultural affinity.

The real extension of connectivity The

connectivity network is not just the pulse of the Belt and Road concept, it is the path to Nepal's economic (and by extension, political) independence . Now it is also essential for Nepal. Improved connectivity with China will boost Nepal's development potential in the long run. Apart from that, its strategic autonomy will increase within the South Asian region.

Some progress has already been made. Since the Kerung-Rasuwa border was upgraded to an international trade point in 2006, the route currently accounts for more than 70 percent of bilateral trade. Although temporarily closed due to natural calamities, this route will reopen soon. But there cannot be a big change by keeping the said route in its current form. Since China and Nepal signed a memorandum of understanding on a cross-border railway in 2019, the feasibility study of the Kathmandu-Kerung railway is in the process of being completed. Now the talk of the train has started to be heard softly . But such a situation is in Nepal, not in China. Beijing is still serious and committed to the rail project. Instead, the big project centered on Lhasa in Tibet is expanding towards China. The Xinhai-Tibet railway, currently operating up to Sigatse, connects Tibet from the north. 

Plans to extend a new railway line from Western Xinjiang through places like Taklakot, possibly near Nepal's western border, are nearing completion. The ongoing construction of the direct railway line from the northern end is now nearing completion . In this way, for China, which is making Tibet accessible from three directions, spreading the network towards Nepal is a task that should not be delayed from many points of view. In this way, the situation in which China is ready for railways should not be forgotten in the debate in Nepal. The railway to the south could be transformative. It will not only connect Kathmandu to China's transport network in Tibet, but will also reduce Nepal's dependence on a single trade route through India. This will provide Nepal with a great advantage in regional commerce and diversity in access to global markets . Here have also improved in air contacts while operating several live flights between main cities and nbsp;. The major challenges of infrastructure of infrastructure from those who travel to the

two countries are left for infrastructure than Nepal's infrastructure and Nbsp ;. Infrastructure has reached high level to China and is being improved and nbsp;. But Nepal's street construction speed is still behind & nbsp; 5 The further decisive policy construction and long-term plan requires additional decisive policy and long-term plan to address these pits and nbsp;.

is wide pit to 'noticeable connectivity' than the 'notice. False information and prejudice about each other's society and people are widespread & nbsp;. This partly generates with unbalanced news and nbsp;. Many Nepalis rely on China's old or partial portrait only as a country in Nepal tourism, religion, or marginalized and nbsp;. If it is not tried to identify that side, it is risks on growth of bilateral relations.

now is very clear that China-BREAK is developed in a mature strategic sharing from China-Nepal relations friendly assistance. Faith is the foundation, the attitude is the guidance in the way it is the way to the connectivity and nbsp;. In the age of multi-fiscalism and regional integration, the fractions of China-Nepal relations present a dialogue based on mutual honors and nbsp;. As a poor-developed country, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said that Nepal has had the opportunity to increase its self-respective growth ;. It is necessary to become a common language of Nepal by using the leadership saying that he should change the grant.

must be 'golden decade' for China-Nepal relations and Nbsp;. The pace of time has become very quick in 70 years & nbsp; 5 Despite the reasons for looking at the past, it will only make a relationship worthwhile, and Nbsp; 5 We should not stop doing great things & nbsp;. But just as a beginning is not to be forgotten and NBSP;.

(Singh Languan's South Asian Study In the institute of the University of China, the South Asian Study Center, the South Asian Study Study in the university of China, are co-director for the Nepal Study Center and Nbsp ;.)