Beijing - Nepalese Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held formal bilateral talks in Beijing on Monday, 15 June2026 evening with China pressing Nepal to accelerate Belt and Road Initiative projects and raising pointed concerns about growing Western influence in the Land of Himalayas, including American programs operating on its soil.
During the meeting, Chinese leaders including Minister Wang Yi raised concerns about Western influence in Nepal, specifically citing the American Millennium Challenge Corporation and the State Partnership Programme — two U.S.-backed initiatives that have been flashpoints in Beijing's diplomacy with Kathmandu in recent years.
Minister Wang Yi called on both sides to fully utilize available cooperation platforms and mechanisms, deepen practical cooperation, and promote cultural exchanges. He said China encourages Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Nepal and he expressed hope that Kathmandu would provide a more equitable and transparent business environment.
In remarks that signaled China's intent to position itself as Nepal's primary partner, Minister Wang told his Nepalese counterpart that "distant relatives are not as good as close neighbors. China will always be a reliable neighbor and reliable partner" for Nepal.
On the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Nepal confirmed that it has already signed the BRI agreement and is drawing support from China's Global Development Initiative, though Minister Khanal made no fresh commitments on additional Chinese initiatives during the meeting.
Separately, Minister Khanal also met Liu Haixing, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China, and the two sides had discussed the expansion of party-to-party relations.
During that meeting, Nepal's side reaffirmed the government's firm commitment to the One-China principle, pledging that Nepali territory would not be used for any activities against China.
For his part, Minister Khanal expressed gratitude for China's long-standing support for Nepal's national development and improvement of people's livelihoods, noting that one of the world's power house has always treated Nepal as an equal and respected its sovereignty and independence.
The discussions covered infrastructure development, reducing Nepal's trade deficit, connectivity, cross-border movement, tourism revival, and the implementation of BRI projects, according to officials familiar with the meeting's preparations.
