Nepal's Ambassador to China: China is a trustworthy friend and partner

[Global Times Global Network reporter Xie Wenting and Bai Baiyi] "The joint construction of cooperation projects under the the Belt and Road initiative is helping Nepal transform from a" landlocked country "to a" landlocked country "," Krishna Prasad Olli, Nepal's new ambassador to China, said in an exclusive interview with reporters of the Global Times a few days ago. He praised China as a trustworthy friend and development partner, and the relationship between Nepal and China can be regarded as a "model".

2025 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nepal. In December 2024, during Prime Minister Oli's visit to China, the two governments signed the Cooperation Framework Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Nepal on jointly promoting the construction of the the Belt and Road. The Framework Agreement proposes that both parties will adhere to the principle of extensive consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits, and strengthen practical cooperation in key areas such as economy, finance, transportation, logistics, trade, industrial investment, and customs.

Ambassador Oli recently stated in an interview with Global Times that the Framework Agreement not only marks a new era of pragmatic cooperation between Nepal and China, but also demonstrates the political mutual trust and friendly intentions between the two countries, which is very important for promoting the common interests of the two countries. At present, Nepal is concentrating on economic transformation wholeheartedly, and many projects under the framework of the "the Belt and Road" have been listed as development priorities by the government.

He specifically mentioned the China Nepal cross-border railway project, stating that the feasibility study of the project is expected to be completed in 2026 and will enter the implementation phase. He hopes that the promotion of the China Nepal cross-border railway will promote the exchange of goods and services between the two countries. In addition, the two countries will also increase the number of flights between them.

"The 'the Belt and Road' is not (some public opinions say) a 'debt trap', it is an initiative to promote global common prosperity." The Nepalese diplomat told reporters, "What I see is that all participants have a brighter cooperation prospect under the 'the Belt and Road' initiative."

According to the recent disclosure by the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, as of the end of November 2024, the comprehensive completion progress of geological exploration work for the China Nepal cross-border railway is about 60%. It is expected to complete the geological survey work and pass the relevant review by June 2025, and the feasibility study is expected to be completed by 2026.

When talking about Nepal's relations with neighboring countries, Oli told Global Times reporters that Nepal is located between China and India, two rapidly developing neighboring countries. Nepal attaches great importance to its relations with neighboring countries and adheres to the diplomatic principle of "friendly with all countries and not hostile to any country". Nepal maintains friendly relations with both neighboring countries and should not be the source of conflict

The relationship between Nepal and China has always been exemplary, "he described. Despite differences in economic scale and social systems, the political friendship between Nepal and China has been developing smoothly." Trustworthy friends and development partners like China occupy an important position in our foreign policy