High Expectations As China's Xi Lands In Nepal

Xi Jinping visited Kathmandu on Oct 12
First state visit by Chinese head of state since 1996, when Jiang Zemin visited
Nepali govt. hopes to sign a number of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) deals around infrastructure
China's BRI activities in Nepal have so far lagged behind its investments in other South Asian countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan
Nepal's ruling NCP (Nepalese Communist Party) unveiled a slate of 11 infrastructure projects for consideration
- Primarily transportation and hydropower focused
- Signature project is a railroad from Kathmandu to the Chinese border
Nepali govt. does not agree with characterization of BRI as a debt trap
NCP sees Chinese investment as being key to boosting Nepal's lagging economy
Infrastructure links to China will serve as an important hedge against Indian hegemony
India has blockaded Nepal three times in the past
- 1962
- 1989
- 2015 (unofficial)
Nepali public has warm feelings towards China and is deeply suspicious of India
- "China makes everything; only petrol comes from India"
Nepalis are well aware that they are a landlocked country and are dependent on their neighbors for access to global trade
NCP also feels that China offers development aid on more generous terms (i.e. less pressure for reform) than the West