First 'China’s Xizang Connections: Cultural Week' kicks off in Kathmandu

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, June 22: The first 'China’s Xizang Connections: Cultural Week' began in Kathmandu on Saturday.

Chen Song, Ambassador of China to Nepal, and Luo Jun, Head of the China Xizang Delegation currently visiting Nepal and Vice-President of the Xizang International Cultural Association of China, jointly opened the event organised by Tibet Media Group Co. Ltd.

Speaking at the event, Bimala Ghimire, Vice-Chair of the National Assembly of the Federal Parliament, said that Nepal–China relations are not confined to diplomatic boundaries alone; they are built upon a foundation of shared history, culture, religion, civilisation, and the daily lives of the people.

“Tibet has since ancient times been a centre of distinct cultural identity, religious tradition, and autonomous social structure. The Himalayas have been the connecting natural elements for these two nations,” she said.

This year – 2025 - marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China. On this historic occasion, various programmes are being organised to further strengthen and enrich the relationship between the governments and peoples of both countries. “I am confident that these efforts will elevate our ties to newer heights,” Ghimire said.

Ambassador Chen said that Xizang culture is an integral part of the diverse yet unified fabric of Chinese civilisation. “I hope that through the cultural performances, seminars, photo exhibitions, and other activities during China's Xizang Connections: Culture Week, our guests will gain an in-depth understanding of Xizang, a place with a profound history and magnificent landscapes, and experience a Xizang that is confident, open, happy, and vibrant.”

He added that the millennia-long history of exchanges between China's Xizang and Nepal not only epitomises the openness, inclusiveness, and enduring vitality of Chinese civilisation, but also serves as compelling evidence of the harmonious coexistence and mutual learning among human civilisations.

According to Chen, China is willing to work together with Nepal to implement the Global Civilisation Initiative, successfully host the cultural week, and lay a strong cultural foundation for building a China-Nepal community with a shared future.

“All four pairs of border ports and 14 traditional border trade points between China and Nepal have been fully reopened. Direct flights from Lhasa to Kathmandu and Pokhara have been successfully launched. The China-Nepal Highland Dragon Boat Race was grandly held in Nyingchi, Xizang,” he said.

Ambassador Chen maintained that these economic, trade, and cultural exchanges fully prove that enhancing connectivity and expanding exchanges between China and Nepal meet development needs, align with people’s expectations, and hold vast prospects and an infinite future.

China and Nepal officially established diplomatic relations in 1955, opening a new chapter of friendly exchanges.

Likewise, Luo noted that over the past 70 years touching stories of ever-deepening friendship despite high mountains and long rivers have been written everywhere – from the summit of Mount Qomolangma to the banks of the Bagmati River, from the ancient Tea-Horse Road to modern ports.

The cultural week will conclude on June 24.