On 1 August, President Xi Jinping and President Bidya Devi Bhandari exchanged congratulatory messages on the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Nepal.

Xi pointed out in his message that the time-honored friendship between China and Nepal has grown from strength to strength. Since the establishment of their diplomatic ties 65 years ago, the two countries have enhanced political trust and mutually beneficial cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and equality. In 2019, President Xi and President Bhandari visited each other’s country and elevated the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity. In the fight against COVID-19, the two countries worked together and supported each other, writing a new chapter in their friendship. Xi reaffirmed his commitment to growing China-Nepal relations and his readiness to work with President Bhandari to take forward the bilateral ties, deliver greater benefit to the two peoples and contribute to regional stability and development.

In her message, Bhandari noted that China and Nepal have enjoyed deep-rooted cordial friendship for ages. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, significant progress has been made in further deepening and broadening the relationship. Nepal welcomes China’s vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind and greater cooperation through the Belt and Road Initiative. It highly commends China’s effective containment strategy against COVID-19 and sincerely thanks China for extending valuable support to its fight against the virus. Nepal will work with China to fully implement the broad consensus and understandings reached between the two presidents for the benefit of the two countries and peoples.

On the same day, Premier Li Keqiang exchanged congratulatory messages with Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli. In his message, Li pointed out that China-Nepal collaboration against COVID-19 further strengthened their mutual trust and friendship. China is ready to work with Nepal to deepen all-round cooperation in various fields, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and take the bilateral relations to new heights. Oli, in his message, applauded the consistent, steady and healthy growth of China-Nepal ties since the establishment of diplomatic relations. Nepal appreciates China’s support for its fight against the virus. It looks forward to working closely with China for the recovery of the economy and for further momentum in their bilateral ties in the years ahead.