China envoy meets Nepal PM Balendra Shah amid wider diplomatic outreach

China's ambassador Zhang Maoming met Prime Minister Balendra Shah in Kathmandu on Monday. The meeting underlined Nepal's parallel outreach to China, India and the United States.Stock photo used for illustrationChina's Ambassador to Nepal, Zhang Maoming, on Monday called on Prime Minister Balendra Shah and discussed bilateral ties, mutual interests, development partnership and cooperation, according to the Prime Minister's Office.The meeting came as Shah continued a series of diplomatic engagements. Earlier in the day, he met Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava, and he is also scheduled to meet the US Embassy Charge d'Affaires on Tuesday.Ambassador Zhang paid a courtesy call on Shah at Singhadurbar, the Prime Minister's Office said. “Matters relating to further strengthening Nepal-China relations, promoting cooperation in various fields and advancing development partnership were discussed on the occasion,” it said in a statement.During the meeting, Shah stressed the need to further deepen Nepal's historical ties with China and work together in areas of common interest, the statement said. Zhang conveyed his best wishes to the Prime Minister and pledged to further strengthen mutual relations and cooperation between the two countries. Shah had earlier avoided one-on-one engagements and had declined to meet US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Samir Paul Kapur and President Donald Trump's special envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor. He later broke this self-imposed rule by holding a one-on-one meeting with Asian Development Bank President Masato Kanda during the latter's three-day visit to Nepal beginning July 6.The Prime Minister has also not undertaken any visit to either the southern or northern neighbour. Instead, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal made back-to-back visits to New Delhi and Beijing in June. Khanal had said Nepal wants to build stronger and deeper relations with both India and China, describing the two neighbours as vital partners for the Himalayan nation, and recently said Nepal wants to transform itself from a landlocked country into a “vibrant, dynamic bridge” connecting them. Monday's meeting with the Chinese ambassador highlighted Nepal's continued diplomatic outreach, alongside Shah's engagement with the Indian envoy and the planned meeting with the US Embassy Charge d'Affaires, while the government reiterated its focus on closer ties and cooperation with both neighbours.With PTI Inputs- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 10, 2026 17:10 IST