Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, Surendra Raj Pandey, has returned to Nepal following the completion of a week-long official visit to the neighboring country China. His visit was primarily aimed at deepening cross-border cooperation on trade, tourism, and infrastructure development, especially in connection with Tibet Autonomous Region.
Visit Marked by Participation in 70th Anniversary Celebrations of Nepal-China Relations
Chief Minister Pandey was invited to attend a special event hosted by the government of the Tibet Autonomous Region to mark the 70th year of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China. Accompanied by a high-level delegation, he departed for China on Shrawan 6 (July 21, 2025) and returned via Himalaya Airlines, directly landing in Pokhara.
The week-long visit included multiple high-level meetings, most notably with Wang Junzheng, Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) for the Tibet Autonomous Region. The discussions revolved around bilateral collaboration, with particular emphasis on reopening and regularly operating the strategic Korala border, which connects Gandaki Province to Tibet.
Strategic Proposals for Cross-Border Collaboration
Chief Minister Pandey proposed a series of initiatives aimed at boosting Nepal-China connectivity and bilateral cooperation. These include:
- Operationalizing the Korala border checkpoint for regular trade and tourism exchange.
- Facilitating pilgrimage routes via Tibet for Nepali and international travelers to Kailash Mansarovar.
- Initiating direct flights from major Chinese cities to Pokhara and Kathmandu.
- Enhancing cooperation in foreign direct investment (FDI) and tourism promotion between Gandaki Province and Tibet.
Pandey further proposed to offer tax incentives to attract Chinese investors and ease visa and permit issuance processes for tourists traveling from Pokhara to Lhasa. These initiatives are expected to significantly boost tourism and cross-border economic activity.
Positive Response from Chinese Leadership
Wang Junzheng, Secretary of CPC for Tibet, welcomed Pandey’s proposals, acknowledging the Korala border as a priority for both sides. He emphasized the need for joint efforts to ensure the efficient operation of this strategic gateway.
Junzheng expressed readiness for cooperation in agriculture, tourism, and industrial development, and recalled his own visit to Gandaki Province in November 2023, highlighting how such high-level exchanges can further cement mutual ties.
Strengthening Sister-City Relations Between Pokhara and Linzhi
During the tour, Chief Minister Pandey also met with Ao Liuchuan, Party Secretary of Linzhi City, and Mayor Bata. Pokhara and Linzhi share a sister-city relationship, and their discussions focused on increasing cooperation in tourism, sports, trade, and cultural exchanges.
Both parties underscored the importance of enhancing institutional and people-to-people connectivity to leverage the strengths of both cities, particularly in promoting Pokhara as a gateway for Chinese tourists.
Support and Delegation Team
Chief Minister Pandey was accompanied by his wife Bina Pandey, Nepali Congress Chief Whip Nanda Prasad Neupane, UML Chief Whip Govinda Bahadur Nepali, and Press Coordinator Narahari Sapkota. Their presence added a multi-party representation to the visit, signifying bipartisan interest in strengthening Nepal-China ties at the provincial level.
The delegation also expressed gratitude for past infrastructure and tourism development support provided by the Chinese government, which has played a vital role in enhancing the connectivity and visibility of Gandaki Province.
Concrete Outcomes and Future Commitments
The visit concluded with mutual commitments to:
- Expedite the operationalization of the Korala border.
- Simplify the visa regime for cross-border travelers.
- Explore joint investment opportunities in hydropower, agri-tourism, and eco-tourism.
- Organize regular dialogues between provincial leaders and Chinese counterparts to sustain momentum.
According to Press Coordinator Sapkota, both sides viewed the visit as a meaningful step toward translating historical goodwill into practical cooperation. Pandey emphasized that his government would take further steps to implement the commitments discussed during the visit.
Regional Importance of the Korala Border
The Korala border post holds strategic, economic, and cultural significance, linking Upper Mustang of Nepal to Tibet. Its operation would not only enhance bilateral trade but also unlock potential pilgrimage tourism, particularly for routes leading to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar.
The reopening of this historic trade route has been a long-standing agenda of the local government and communities in Gandaki Province. With this renewed engagement at the political level, the groundwork is being laid for turning it into a vibrant trade and tourism corridor.
Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey’s visit to China marks a renewed provincial-level diplomacy effort focused on economic growth, cultural ties, and connectivity. With commitments made on both sides, particularly regarding the Korala checkpoint and investment cooperation, this tour may open new avenues for Gandaki Province’s development while further solidifying Nepal’s age-old friendship with China.
