KUNMING: Nepal’s Ambassador to China, Dr. Krishna Prasad Oli, has said that continuous efforts are underway to promote result-oriented economic diplomacy alongside expanding bilateral relations with China.
Speaking to RSS during the 9th China–South Asia Expo and the 29th China Kunming Import and Export Fair in Kunming, the capital of China’s Yunnan province, Ambassador Oli said he is working tirelessly to attract Chinese investment—both governmental and private—and to bring advanced technology to Nepal.
Highlighting the similar climate and topography between Nepal and China, Dr. Oli—an expert in agriculture, planning, and management—stated that Nepal holds great potential in agriculture and the herbal industry. He said he is making every effort to leverage China’s unique experience in these fields to bring in technology and investment.
Ambassador Oli emphasized that China’s achievements in agriculture and herbal medicine are not only inspiring for Nepal but serve as a model for the world. He stressed the need to prioritize cooperation with China to support Nepal’s development aspirations.
“China, as a friendly neighbor with long-standing ties to Nepal, has made remarkable progress in all sectors. Nepal must take advantage of this opportunity,” Dr. Oli said.
“As ambassador, I am engaging in phased discussions with stakeholders to bring Chinese technology, experience, and investment to Nepal. I am optimistic about the outcomes of the bilateral meetings held so far.”
He added that he is actively working to benefit Nepal in various sectors such as agriculture, education, health, energy, IT, and tourism. He expects that discussions held with Chinese government officials—from the central to provincial levels—will yield results soon.
Dr. Oli noted that both Chinese leaders and citizens express goodwill toward Nepal, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and show interest in supporting Nepal’s development and improving the living standards of its people. He stressed that Nepal should capitalize on this strong and friendly relationship.
Referring to China’s high productivity growth in agriculture, Dr. Oli said Nepal should also focus on increasing productivity, improving export capacity, and establishing proper market management to benefit farmers directly.
Acknowledging challenges such as the language barrier between the two nations, he called for a united national effort to strengthen bilateral ties at the grassroots level and improve living standards through mutual benefit.
Dr. Oli also underlined the importance of cooperation in curbing cybercrime and confirmed that discussions are ongoing with Chinese counterparts on a range of issues including cross-border trade, sister city partnerships, agriculture, industry, IT, infrastructure development, and investment.
He suggested Nepal should explore trade and business promotion through cities like Lhasa and Kunming, which are geographically closer and hold strategic importance.
Ambassador Oli also highlighted the need for joint efforts in climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, disaster management, and border security.
Regarding sister city relations, he noted that while several Nepali municipalities are establishing ties with Chinese cities, the embassy in Beijing is not formally informed. On the Chinese side, the process of establishing sister city relationships is more complex than it may appear.
Dr. Oli concluded by stating that a dynamic and results-driven mechanism is necessary to enhance mutual cooperation, improve livelihoods in the region, and ensure equitable benefits from regional development and resource utilization—particularly in the context of broader Southeast Asian growth.
Comment