Nepal-China Celebrating 70 Years of Friendship
By K P Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal
This year feels like a beautiful and rare alignment of stars—a moment to not just celebrate, but to hold close to our hearts and reflect. We stand at the crossroads of three profound milestones: the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China; the rising spirit of global cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO); and the solemn 80th anniversary of the victory over Fascism, which marks the end of the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II.
Each of these milestones carries its own soul-stirring story; but together, they whisper a timeless truth about resilience, unbreakable cooperation, and the deep human longing for peace. They remind us that while a map may show where a nation is, it is our shared history and cherished dreams that truly define where lies our common destiny.
Nepal–China: Seventy Years of Trust, Respect, and an Enduring Friendship
When Nepal and China officially established diplomatic relations in 1955, it wasn't a new beginning, but a heartfelt renewal of a bond that had woven our two peoples together for centuries. Long before our modern borders were drawn and official documents signed, our Himalayan peaks echoed with the footsteps of traders, monks, and artists. Caravans trekked with salt and grains, while the gentle wisdom of the Buddha travelled from one heart to another across our sacred mountains. Our cultures became forever intertwined, like the threads of a beautiful tapestry. The trans-Himalayan multidimensional connectivity framework that we both intend to build will certainly help bring our two countries and people further close.
The majestic Himalayas, which the world often sees as forbidding barriers, have always been our most profound bridge—a bridge of mutual trust, spiritual connection, and the deepest human understanding.
Over the past seventy years, the friendship between Nepal and China has widened and deepened with a remarkable, quiet grace. Built on the pillars of peaceful coexistence, genuine respect, mutual trust, understanding, non-interference, and sovereign equality, our partnership has grown into an extraordinary example of what true neighbourliness can mean.
For Nepal, China has been more than a neighbour; it has been a steadfast friend, a hand to hold in times of both progress and pain. In moments of great national development or during natural disasters, China’s support and solidarity has been invaluable. And for China, Nepal has stood as a reliable and principled partner, committed to the "One-China principle" and to a relationship built not on convenience, but on unwavering values.
This 70-year journey has been nothing short of a beautiful, transformational friendship. Our cooperation has touched every aspect of our lives—from connecting our lands with new roads to nurturing our people with shared knowledge and cultural exchanges. The flagship initiative of BRI is enabling to promote cross-sectoral partnership between our two countries in the vital areas of infrastructure, economy, environment, culture, etc.The trust that holds us together has allowed us to dream bigger, work harder, and grow stronger, side by side.
As we mark this special moment, we don't just look back with pride; we look forward with an even greater sense of purpose. Nepal remains committed to deepening its cooperation with China, because we know that the prosperity and stability of one is inextricably linked to the well-being of the other. Following the decision taken during the historic visit of President Xi Jinping to Nepal in October 2019, our relations have entered the strategic level, reinforcing our collective wisdom for shared prosperity.
The SCO: A Sanctuary for Regional Unity
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has blossomed into one of the most vital regional families of our time. In a world that often feels fragmented and tense, the SCO offers a gentle yet powerful vision of unity and cooperation that looks beyond borders and ideologies.
As a dialogue partner, Nepal aspires the SCO not just as a forum for talks, but as a hopeful vessel for building a peaceful, prosperous, and truly connected Asia. Its core principles—mutual trust, shared security, and collective development—speak directly to the core values of Nepal's foreign policy of non-alignment, peace, and friendship.
Today, we face challenges that are so vast that no single nation can address them alone. The climate crisis threatens our pristine mountains and sacred rivers; pandemics expose the frailties in our health systems; and technological gaps risk leaving millions behind. These are not just national problems; they are human problems. They are global in nature and scale. They demand a humane, collective response. The SCO provides a home for exactly this kind of collaboration, bringing together a vast diversity of nations under a shared roof of mutual respect.
For Nepal, SCO membership is an opportunity to align our national aspirations with the broader regional agenda, advancing our goal of a "Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali." We believe the SCO can be a beacon for strengthening connectivity across Asia, fostering stability, and nurturing inclusive growth. It is a place where even smaller nations can find their voice and contribute to shaping the future of our shared home. It is with this wholesome spirit that Nepal seeks to elevate its participation in and engagement with SCO.
As Nepal prepares to graduate from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category next year, it remains firmly committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and advancing towards middle-income status by 2030. Realising these aspirations will require the steadfast support of our partners. In this endeavour, Nepal counts on China—not only as a close neighbour, but also as a trusted development partner and a true friend. We look forward to nurturing an even stronger and more meaningful partnership with China in the years to come.
Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Victory over Fascism
Eighty years ago, humanity witnessed the closing of one of its most painful chapters. The defeat of Fascism and militarism, marked by the end of the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II, was not just a military victory; it was a moral triumph of the human spirit. It reaffirmed our collective pledge to peace, justice, and the fundamental right to freedom.
China’s sacrifices during that dark time were immense. Millions of lives were lost, countless cities were reduced to rubble, and yet, the extraordinary resilience of the Chinese people ensured that aggression and tyranny would not win. The global community owes an eternal debt of gratitude to all those who fought and endured so that future generations could inherit a world of peace.
Commemorating the 80th anniversary of this victory is not about dwelling on the past. It is a profound, heartfelt reminder that peace is fragile, and the values for which millions gave their lives—dignity, freedom, and justice—must be guarded with eternal vigilance. The anniversaries of this victory remind us that history’s darkest moments must never be repeated, and that the beautiful, heavy burden of peace rests on the shoulders of each new generation.
Today, China stands as a success story of liberating millions of people from the clutches of poverty within a short span of time. It has already achieved the first centennial goal and it is well on its way to realizing the second centennial goal by 2049.China’s strong commitment to multilateralism has won it tremendous respect from the Global South.
For Nepal—a nation small in size, but steadfast in its pursuit of peace—this commemoration holds a profound significance. Ours is a history unlike many: we have never been colonizers, nor have we ever been colonized. And so, at this moment, when hundreds of thousands of innocents are slaughtered not on battlefields, but in the name of national security, our people understand intimately the true value of independence and the horrific cost of conflict. As a proud, non-aligned nation, we stand in solidarity with all who seek peace. And we reaffirm, to the world, our deepest conviction: that war and aggression can never, ever be legitimate instruments of human progress.
Lessons for Today, A Vision for Tomorrow
When we bring together these three milestones—70 years of Nepal–China relations, the growing purpose of the SCO, and the solemn memory of victory over Fascism—we see a single, beautiful thread: the unending human quest for peace, dignity, and a world where we can all come together.
For Nepal, these milestones inspire us to reaffirm our path:
— To remain committed to an independent foreign policy, anchored in the unwavering principles of non-alignment, genuine friendship, and peace.
— To deepen our precious friendship with China and all our neighbors, based on true equality, heartfelt respect, and mutual benefit.
— To contribute actively to regional and global platforms that seek to build a more connected, sustainable, just and harmonious world.
Our world today is at a critical juncture. The climate crisis threatens the very heartbeat of our ecosystems. Technological revolutions, while full of promise, also carry the risks of inequality and alienation. Geopolitical tensions intensify, generating a new web of uncertainty, confusion and mistrust. In confronting these challenges, climate action must be a foremost priority. For Nepal, this means advancing joint efforts in mountain cooperation. Nepal's first-ever Sagarmatha Sambaad, held earlier this year, was a meaningful step in that direction. The recurring natural disasters call for closer coordination in disaster preparedness, early warning, and ecological protection in our shared Himalayan region. Nepal wishes to strengthening cooperation with China in building resilience against such transboundary climate threats.
At a time like this, the lessons of history are as clear as a mountain stream. Cooperation must triumph over confrontation. Dialogue must win out over discord. And peace must remain the highest, most cherished aspiration of all humanity.
The story of Nepal and China’s 70-year friendship; the unifying vision of the SCO; and the sacred memory of victory over Fascism remind us of this profound truth: progress is only truly meaningful when it is shared, and peace is only truly secure when it is held by all of us, together.
In Conclusion–––Anniversaries are more than just dates on a calendar; they are sacred moments to renew our deepest commitments. As Nepal and China celebrate 70 years of a friendship that has stood the test of time; as the SCO grows its relevance in shaping a multipolar world; and as we all honour the 80th anniversary of a victory that saved humanity, we are reminded that peace is never permanent—it must be nurtured.
Let us nurture it together. Let us draw strength from our shared history, find hope in our enduring friendship, and forge a vision from our collective aspirations. In our remembrance, in our cooperation, and in our unbreakable solidarity, we can build a future that is truly just, peaceful, and prosperous for everyone.
