China’s 70 years of development is regarded as the most miraculous achievement in the history of economic development of a country in this century. We all have witnessed the progress that China has made transforming itself from poverty to prosperity in a comparatively very short span of time. Its credit naturally goes to the acumen of 5 generations of Chinese leadership all along from Chairman Mao, through paramount leader Deng Xiaoping, to present leadership of President Xi Jinping, their farsighted vision and perseverance, as well as disciplined and hardworking character of the Chinese people, which stood firm for 70 long years since the foundation of the People’s Republic.October 1, which marked the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the People’s Republic of China and China’s history of the successful completion of 70 years of its spectacular rise, the joyous and elaborate celebration of which was observed by our Chinese brethren, earns our wholehearted appreciation and support. For the Chinese people, it has been a happy and enjoyable time of victory over poverty and a march towards national rejuvenation.As the next door neighbor, Nepal has witnessed China’s meticulous rise and the important role that it has been playing assiduously in pursuing good neighborly relations with its immediate neighbours, fostering cooperative relations with countries of South and South-east Asia, and other developing countries, devising constructive and coordinated relationships with major countries, pursuing a policy of peaceful development and moving forward towards the maintenance of international peace and stability by actively participating in the UN and other international organizations, including UN peace keeping operations, and contributing towards the establishment of open and inclusive global governance. China has consistently pursued these as basic tenets of its foreign policy, more emphatically since the advent of the new generation of leadership under President Xi.Various other visionary initiatives that President Xi has taken and offered to the world, during his ongoing tenure, like his unparalleled Belt and Road Initiative, aimed at widest possible connectivity among nations, sub-continents as well as the world at large for the common good of all involved, in win-win reciprocity, are undoubtedly a unique and unparalleled contribution which has proved to be a potent engine for promoting connectivity and growth as well as a solid platform for Building a Community of Shared Future for Mankind. The community which is expected to be open and inclusive as against the growing narrow, nationalistic and inward looking bent of mind like that of America First policy of President Trump and some western countries which jeopardizes and weakens the existing trend of globalization, multilateralism and rule-based international trading system. It is, however, satisfying to note that Xi’s vision of a Community of Shared Future for Mankind has been recognized by the United Nations and other international and regional organizations, which envisages concerted actions among nations. The present prolonged tariff and technological warfare between the US and China, as it will not benefit either party, might hopefully take, sooner than later, a reconciliatory and mutually acceptable way out for greater benefit.In recognition of President Xi’s visionary contributions and his charismatic and able stewardship, the 19th National Congress of CPC has endorsed and adopted “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese characteristics in a New Era”, as a guiding principle of national Governance of China, with President Xi Jinping’s leadership at the core. Xi Jinping Thought, precisely speaking, is the product of his experience and lessons learned by China in different periods of its history, including adversities and contradictions, and a march towards refined form of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in a New Era, assimilating past thought, theory and other lofty principles befitting the new emerging phenomena. The Congress has outlined 14 basic fundamental principles of Xi’s Thought, ranging from ensuring party leadership to building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind. It has also endorsed a time frame of 2 centennial goals for achieving rejuvenation of Chinese dream to develop China as a Prosperous, Strong, Democratic, Culturally Advanced, Harmonious and Beautiful country by the middle of this century. An important provision made for the continuation of the present governance by amending the constitutional provision of term limit of the Presidency has opened up the opportunity for the leadership under President Xi to lay out and guide the future course of action, on a long-term basis, in achieving the objectives of China’s rejuvenation and in playing an effective role in forging China forward as an influential global power.President Xi, during his address on October 1 in celebration of China’s 70th anniversary of the Republic, pledged that China would stay in the path of peaceful development and pursue a mutually beneficial strategy of reform and opening up, a strategy which, as a matter of fact, was a turning point of China’s growth with an average annual rate of 9. 2 percent for almost four decades which boosted China’s global status to the present level as world’s second economic power. President Xi also emphasized that “no force can undermine China’s status or stop the Chinese people and nation from marching forward”. It is highly notable that, along with this high rate of growth, Chinese governance has put greater emphasis on its inclusiveness aiming at fair and equitable sharing of economic growth by placing people at the centrality of the growth. The basic thrust is on the integration of the concept of inclusiveness into the economic and social development policy and practice. These measures call for integration of economic growth in GDP with human capital development, accelerating the equal delivery of basic services, promotion of integrated urban-rural development, deepening reform of income distribution system and constant pursuit of social justice.It is gratifying to note that when global free trade has been hit hard by surging trade protectionism, China is organizing the second China International Import Expo (CIIE), which is kicking off in Shanghai, at present, being inaugurated on this very day, where more than 3000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions are exploring access to China’s huge consumer market, rejuvenating global free trade with new and enhanced energy.Nepal is highly appreciative of the role that China has played in helping the least developed and land-locked countries like ours by all conceivable means. We are grateful for China’s help in our efforts to uplift our socio-economic status and to become a land-linked country by opening up its sea ports and dry ports for our transit trade and by agreeing to link us with Trans-Himalayan cross-border Railway Connectivity and infrastructural and other developmental projects under the Belt and Road Initiative. The recent State Visit of President Xi to Nepal ( October 12-13), which was followed by Second Wuhan Informal Summit with Prime Minister Modi of India in Mahabilapuram, was of paramount importance in strengthening bilateral relations of respective countries as well as intensification of Trans-Himalayan Connectivity between China and South Asia. As for Nepal, Xi’s visit was marked by the signing of 20 agreements, MoU’s, other Understandings and a 14-point joint communiqué, which has opened up new vistas for fruitful collaboration in areas like cross-border roads, railways, tunnels, economic zones and transmission lines, energy, tourism, education, health and preservation of environment. Experts believe that the visit was a historical success in taking Nepal-China relation to a new height and has ushered China-Nepal relation into a new era, much brighter and more fruitful. All this is indicative of ever-growing cooperation and strategic relationship which is expected to bind Nepal and China together inperpetuity.