20 Jan, Kathmandu

Sun Haiyan, the Vice Minister of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC)’s International Department, made history by visiting Nepal and establishing a new chapter in Sino-Nepal relations and collaboration.

Leading a mostly female delegation, Mme. Sun emphasized the value of development projects and bilateral connections while showcasing the allure of China’s “rose diplomacy” in her discussions with top Nepalese leaders and officials.

The visit by Mme. Sun Haiyan demonstrates China’s ongoing dedication to maintaining diplomatic relations with Nepal. The stage has been prepared for greater mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries by her talks with Prime Minister Puspa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, Chairperson of CPN (UML) KP Oli, and various representatives of the CPC and Nepalese political parties at the joint consultative session.

What has particularly caught the attention of many in Nepal is Mme. Sun’s graceful and elegant demeanor, coupled with a unique diplomatic style characterized by feminine warmth. Her impressive background, which includes serving as the Chinese Ambassador to Singapore and overseeing South Asian affairs, positions her as a knowledgeable and experienced leader capable of steering bilateral relations toward new heights.

During the Joint Consultation Conference, Mme. Sun pointed towards unusual attempts to sabotage Sino-Nepal bilateral relations by some external forces, emphasizing the need for increased cooperation between the two nations with more caution. She highlighted the expectations of the peoples of both countries for a higher level of collaboration and called for a focus on Nepal-China relations in the new era.

Vice Minister Sun brought up several important topics, including the value of tourism in fostering bilateral ties, but she also emphasized the necessity of infrastructural development in Nepal. She urged the Nepalese government to speed up projects stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic and other causes, as well as to attract more Chinese investment, by calling for policy reforms.

“We are planning to implement more and more projects to uplift the livelihood of people, but policy reforms are required here so that the projects will ensure better results for the people,” she said.

Chen Song, the Chinese ambassador to Nepal, underlined these ideas and emphasized that the recent agreements between the two nations had opened the door for new directions in their bilateral relations. He referred to animal husbandry as a possible game-changer for collaboration, implying that China is open to working with Nepal in this area.

Vice Minister Sun Haiyan’s visit heralds a new era in Nepal-China relations, with the prospect of closer cooperation and common development objectives. The visit takes place as the sun rises over the Himalayas.