Chinese PLA Major General’s Visit to Nepal Following Joint Military Exercise: What’s Behind It?

Major General Zhang Baochun of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army is scheduled to visit Nepal following the conclusion of the ongoing multinational exercise “Shanti Prayas” in the country.

He is expected to arrive in Kathmandu on March 9 via Doha, the capital of Qatar.

After a four-day visit, the delegation will return to China via Singapore on the night of March 12th.

Zhang Baochun currently serves as the Deputy Chief of the Office of International Military Cooperation (CMC).

Other senior officials accompanying Zhang include Colonel Pei Ling Song Lixing, Colonel Li Yingfeng, Captain Wang Guochang, and Xi Xiangyang.

During their visit, the Chinese team is scheduled to meet with security officials, including the Chief of Staff of the Nepalese Army.

It is reported that the team will engage in discussions regarding issues such as the capacity building of Nepali security agencies.

The fourth edition of the multinational exercise ‘Shanti Prayas’ is currently underway in Nepal, aimed at enhancing the professional efficiency and mutual coordination capacity of the forces participating in peacekeeping operations.

Supported by the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) of the US government, the exercise commenced on February 20th in collaboration with the Nepali Army and the United States Army, involving soldiers from 19 countries, including Nepal.

The exercise is scheduled to continue until March 4th.

Soldiers from the United States, Australia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Fiji, Ghana, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mongolia, Thailand, Uruguay, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Canada, the Philippines, Nigeria, and other countries are participating in the training.