Next five years will see massive progress in Nepal-China economic integration: Foreign Minister Khanal

July 17, Kathmandu: Foreign Affairs Minister Shishir Khanal has said that the next five years will mark a period of significant progress in economic integration and cross-border connectivity between Nepal and China.

Speaking to Nepali journalists during his official visit to Beijing, Minister Khanal said he successfully revitalised neighbourly trust by directly addressing past administrative bottlenecks with newfound diplomatic candour.

The Minister clarified that Nepal’s internal anti-corruption investigations regarding the Pokhara International Airport are strictly institutional and do not target Beijing. Furthermore, he reaffirmed Nepal’s steadfast commitment to its non-aligned foreign policy, reassuring Chinese leadership that Nepali territory will never be used to harm its neighbours.

The dialogue effectively paved the way for robust economic collaboration, pivoting toward practical connectivity, tourism revitalization, and high-value agricultural exports.

 To maximize trade, China expressed strong support for boosting Nepal’s laboratory testing and certification capacities. Looking ahead, Minister Khanal envisions a deeper partnership focused on technology exchange, infrastructure development, and industrial growth.

He confidently stated that under the current leadership, Nepal-China ties will move past traditional formalities to deliver tangible financial progress and shared prosperity.