Crossing high mountains and working hand in hand towards the future (Ambassador's essay: Promoting the "Shanghai Spirit": The Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Action)

The 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit will be held in Tianjin from August 31st to September 1st. Guided by the "Shanghai Spirit" of "mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations, and pursuit of common development", all parties will respond to the uncertainties and unpredictable factors in the international environment with the stability and tenacity of the SCO, and create a good environment of lasting peace, universal security, common prosperity, openness, inclusiveness, harmony and friendship for the people of all countries in the region. This year marks the tenth year that Nepal has become a dialogue partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and joined the "SCO family". Nepalese Prime Minister Oli will be invited to attend the SCO Tianjin Summit.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nepal.  

China and Nepal are interdependent in terms of mountains and rivers, and their friendship is long-lasting. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1955, China Nepal relations have remained strong and steady in the face of international changes.   President Bodar stated that China is Nepal's trusted neighbor and development partner.

China and Nepal have always been mutually beneficial and advancing hand in hand. China is Nepal's largest source of foreign investment and second largest trading partner. In 2024, the bilateral trade volume between China and Nepal reached 2.19 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 22.1%. The high-quality joint construction of the "the Belt and Road" between China and Nigeria has steadily progressed, and positive progress has been made in border connectivity, cross-border power grids, and the Air Silk Road. China's new energy vehicles have ranked first in Nepal's new energy vehicle imports for several consecutive years, with a market share of over 70%, becoming a new highlight of China Nepal economic and trade cooperation.

China and Nepal have always stood by each other and shared weal and woe. The two countries have always helped each other in the critical moment of responding to the 2015 Nepal earthquake and fighting against the COVID-19 epidemic. In July of this year, a flash flood and mudslide disaster occurred at the China Nepal Jilong Port. China immediately provided emergency humanitarian assistance to Nepal, and Nepal also made every effort to rescue and search for missing Chinese personnel, demonstrating the brotherly friendship of standing together through thick and thin.

Currently, China's high-quality development is sharing the dividends of development with a more open attitude; Nepal, which aims to achieve modernization, is striving to achieve its vision of getting rid of the status of least developed countries. Standing at a new historical starting point, China Nepal cooperation has ushered in unprecedented new opportunities.

Interconnection is the foundation of development. Both sides will continue to promote the facilitation of customs clearance at China Nepal ports, smooth cross-border highways, dense air routes, promote cross-border power grid construction, and help Nepal move from a "landlocked country" to a "land linked country", better integrating into the regional development pattern.

Industrial cooperation is the way to win-win. Both sides should accelerate the construction of the China Nepal Friendship Industrial Park and the China Nepal Southern Agricultural Science and Technology Park, expand cooperation in industrial technology, standards, talent and other fields, actively explore new models of China Nepal industrial chain and supply chain cooperation, and help Nepal improve its level of industrial and agricultural modernization.

Livelihood projects are the source of happiness. Both sides will continue to make good use of a number of "small and beautiful" livelihood projects such as "Muguang Maternity Room", "Vibrant Countryside", "Shining Future", "Ganlu Plan", etc., starting from the fields of education, medical care, health and other urgent needs of the people, truly realizing the relief of people's difficulties, warming people's hearts, nourishing the local area, and benefiting the long-term.

Cultural exchange is a bridge of mutual trust. This year is the "Nepal Tourism Year". China will continue to hold a series of cultural exchange activities such as the Chinese Spring Festival celebrations in Kathmandu, the Pokhara International Mountain Cross country Race, the China Nepal Friendship Loong Boat Race, and the "three places and three brands" of the Lumbini International Peace Festival, so as to implement the global civilization initiative with practical actions.

Sustainable development is the key to the future. Both sides will jointly explore the technological, cost, and system advantages in the field of new energy, strengthen cooperation in industrial transfer and localized production, and provide a strong engine for Nepal to cultivate emerging industries and energy transformation and upgrading.

The continuous flow of snow in the Himalayas gathers the inexhaustible strength of China Nepal friendship and cooperation. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China and Nepal will join hands to create a new chapter of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, making the friendship that spans mountains and rivers shine even brighter in the new era.

(The author is the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal)