Significance of President Bhandari’s China visit

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari has left on April 24 for China on a 9-day state visit. China has attached great significance to this visit by upgrading it to a state level.

Former President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, during his 7-year long tenure of office, visited China twice but it was his official visit only. President Bhandari has been invited by President Xi Jinping of China to attend and address the second BRI international conference scheduled to open on April 25 this year.

One of the priority projects for Nepal continues to be railway connectivity linking Kerung to Kathmandu for which a feasibility study has already been proposed.

It may be recalled that the first such conference was hosted by China in 2017 and two days before the conference, that is, on May 12 Nepal signed a BRI MoU with China. Krishna Bahadur Mahara, the then deputy prime minister, represented Nepal at the conference.

Two years have elapsed after the signing of MoU on BRI. During this period, Nepal set up a committee to identify and select projects for Chinese support and cooperation under the BRI framework. As reported in the press, Nepal has prepared a list of 35 projects but has had to slash them to nine as per Chinese advice and suggestion.

Another important agenda item is signing of the Protocol on Transit and Transport Agreement which was a major highlight of PM Oli’s visit to China in 2016.

One of the priority projects for Nepal continues to be railway connectivity linking Kerung to Kathmandu for which a feasibility study has already been proposed. Both sides will, however, sign the Agreement on Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network under the BRI framework. Another important agenda item is signing of the Protocol on Transit and Transport Agreement which was a major highlight of PM Oli’s visit to China in 2016.

A few other agreements relating to customs cooperation, expediting Chinese-aided projects in Nepal and protection of cultural property in order to curb illegal trade in artifacts are most likely to be signed during President Bhandari’s ongoing visit to China.

While President Bhandari will make an important statement on BRI by presenting Nepal’s national perspective with clarity and commitment, the meeting between her and President Xi Jinping scheduled to take place on April 29 is being closely and keenly watched by China observers at home and abroad. It is no longer a secret that President Bhandari will renew her invitation to President Xi to visit Nepal at his earliest convenience.

In fact, President Xi’s visit to Nepal is overdue as he has already visited almost all countries in the region and has pledged substantial aid commitments to them. Nepal, therefore, looks forward to welcoming the highly honored guest from our northern neighbor sometime this year. President Bhandari’s current state visit will no doubt further strengthen the cordial and friendly relations so happily existing between the two countries.