Nepal-China Relations At People's Level

The new fiscal year has just begun. I am on the way to Pokhara by Prithvi Highway, constructed with the support of the Chinese government in the 1970s. As I travel for the annual renewal of an organisation, I remember those fantastic and challenging moments from 2000 that gradually linked me and a group of contemporary friends with neighbours across the Himalayas. As we are commemorating the 70th anniversary of Nepal–China diplomatic relations, I find myself reflecting on the past, recounting the challenges we faced and the responses we made. 

In 2006, a group of ten boys was in front of the local district administrator for the registration of a friendship organisation. Perhaps it was a new request for the local district administration office or it could be puzzling – promoting friendship with a communist country, China. Hence, as per the suggestion, the first challenge was accepted to produce a recommendation from the embassy in Nepal and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal. Finally, Nepal China Academy (NCA) was registered. Yet, discomfort lingers. The friendship organisations are still being equated with INGO-funded NGOs without considering their distinct characters. According to an informal source, more than twenty friendship associations are promoting Nepal-China and Nepal-India friendship relations. 

Challenges

The second challenge we faced was securing active member contributions as outlined in the organisation’s statutes—both in terms of financial support for lack of opportunities and in developing guiding principles to drive the organisation. While both were difficult, they were not impossible. Activities such as inauguration ceremonies, receptions, annual programmes, and long- and short-term projects were planned and gradual progress was achieved. An official inauguration of the NCA was organised in the presence of Chief District Officer (CDO), Bimal Prasad Dhakal, His Excellency Sun Heiping, the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, intellectuals and members. 

The third challenge approached as we were conducting a local needs survey in 2007 to initiate a Chinese language class aimed at better serving Chinese tourists. Although the limited number of Chinese visitors during the 2000s posed a challenge, three schools in Pokhara stepped forward with strong interest and generous support to host a volunteer Chinese language teacher for a period of one and a half years. The initiative proved to be highly successful. Today, building on that early foundation, more than a dozen schools in Pokhara now offer Chinese language classes with the support of Pokhara Metropolitan City and the Embassy of China in Nepal. Students are actively learning and exploring direct pathways toward broader educational and career opportunities.

Another significant challenge that we frequently encounter at the people’s level is the recurring request for “Free Visits to China.” Some other friendship associations granted complimentary visits to individuals as a gesture of goodwill, but many of these guests unfortunately fail to fully appreciate the core values of the cultural exchange. In this context, friendship associations must evolve as platforms to promote genuine engagement, skill sharing, and cultural dialogue, opening the door to broader and more meaningful cooperation.

An exchange programme for artists, cultural practitioners, and professionals should be organised frequently. Fields like music, dance, drama, and fine arts, which narrate the story of one society to another, play a pivotal role in fostering understanding. Special emphasis must be placed on creating opportunities for low-income artists through competitive programmes organised by friendship associations. Diligent with knowledge and cultural skills yet underprivileged students should be prioritised for full scholarships through competitions.  

The NCA received information on a contest and shared it among its members. One of our members, Buddhi Bahadur Gurung, in 2018 earned third prize in the "Belt and Road International Art Project", demonstrating his talent. Similarly, Anuj Chaudhary and Kiran Khatri, representing the Robotics Association of Nepal, secured awards in the "Belt and Road International Skill Competition" in 2024, highlighting the scope of youth-driven innovation. The friendship associations have emerged from the vision and dedication of diverse individuals—alumni, cultural explorers, entrepreneurs, youth leaders, and committed well-wishers. Though their backgrounds vary, they are united by a common purpose: to deepen centuries-old people-to-people ties through voluntary and often self-funded initiatives.

One of the most pressing challenges facing these associations is their financial sustainability. In many cases, these organisations lack a permanent office. In a least-developed country like Nepal, modest membership fees are barely sufficient to meet annual legal and administrative costs. While there is an abundance of interest and goodwill, a shortage of resources stalls the momentum of deeper cooperation. To address this, governments, diplomatic missions, and enterprises of both countries must adopt an inclusive and equitable approach, extending opportunities and institutional recognition to all formally registered friendship organisations. Simultaneously, these associations themselves must work towards developing self-sustaining models that ensure independence.

Meaningful interactions 

From the meaningful interactions with diplomats and policy experts, friendship associations gain valuable insights into cultural sensitivities and foreign policy priorities, bringing several institutions and their leaders together under common thematic agendas and collaborative projects to promote bilateral cooperation. Besides, they can also enhance trilateral people-to-people cooperation that could offer positive pressure to solve political differences through dialogue. It is the people who consistently demonstrate mutual respect, solidarity, and a common aspiration for regional peace, prosperity, and progress. 

Several challenges lie ahead over time, but the knowledge propagated by the ancient philosophers – Buddha, Confucius, and Swami Vivekananda – empowers us to challenge the complexities of modern diplomacy and cultural exchange. Equally, the values embraced by visionary contemporary leaders in Nepal, China and India reinforce our shared commitment to mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and inclusive development.

The fragrance of tea cultivated in the hills of Nepal, China, or India knows no borders. The products, such as tea, handicrafts, art, or ideas, are cultural ambassadors that carry the aroma of civilisation, tradition, and craftsmanship across regions and generations. As we are commemorating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations with China, let us reaffirm our dedication to strengthening people-to-people ties with shared values and appreciate the roles of friendship associations.

(The author is the Chairman of Nepal China Academy)