Preparations Underway for Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s Official Visit to China

Preparations for the official visit of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to China from December 2-5, 2024, at the cordial invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, are in full swing. The visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations between Nepal and China at both the government and people’s levels, with anticipation building among citizens of both countries.

In the lead-up to the visit, senior leaders from the ruling parties — CPN (UML) and Nepali Congress — along with representatives from the two-party mechanism, are engaging in intensive discussions on various key agendas, including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), keeping Nepal’s national interests at the forefront.

A significant meeting took place today between Prime Minister Oli and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, focusing on the upcoming trip. Additionally, another round of discussions was held with members of the delegation accompanying the Prime Minister to China.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Oli urged the delegates to actively contribute to the success of the visit, emphasizing the goal of deepening bilateral relations between the two countries. “Our visit to China will be successful, and we will strive to make it remarkable,” PM Oli said. He further stressed that the focus of the visit would be on enhancing Nepal’s image internationally and strengthening the longstanding friendly ties between Nepal and China.

The briefing on the visit included input from Amrit Bahadur Rai, Officiating Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bishnu Prasad Gautam, Chief of Protocol, and Krishna Prasad Dhakal, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They provided comprehensive insights into various aspects of bilateral relations, including diplomatic protocols, ceremonial matters, and the BRI framework.

Spokesperson Dhakal noted that one of the key areas of discussion with the Chinese side would include cooperation in connectivity, investment, trade, tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure development.

On November 25, Prime Minister Oli held discussions with former Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers to prepare for the visit. Following this, a Cabinet meeting on November 28 officially approved the Prime Minister’s visit to China and the accompanying delegation members.

During his visit, Prime Minister Oli is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. He will also hold delegation-level talks with his Chinese counterpart, Premier Li Qiang. Additionally, Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress, is also expected to meet Prime Minister Oli.

Prime Minister Oli will deliver a speech at Peking University and is scheduled to address the Nepal-China Business Forum, organized jointly by the Nepali Embassy in Beijing, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and the Nepal Confederation of Industry and Commerce.

The Prime Minister will be accompanied by First Lady Radhika Shakya, Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, Prime Minister’s Chief Advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Economic and Development Advisor Dr. Yuvaraj Khatiwada, and members of the Federal Parliament during the visit.

This visit is seen as a crucial step in furthering Nepal’s relationship with China, particularly in areas of infrastructure, trade, and investment, and will likely pave the way for increased bilateral cooperation.