People-to-people relations between Nepal and China

Abstract

This study explored people-to-people relations between Nepal and China by identifying the factors that had shaped their interactions from 1990 to 2024. While bilateral relations were often framed through state-level diplomacy, this research shifted the focus to individuals and communities, emphasizing the role of interpersonal and grassroots exchanges in shaping cross-border understanding. It also examined how foreign policies had addressed these relations and what strategies could strengthen them in the future. Grounded theory was followed to identify the factors that influence people-to-people relations while Social Network Theory guided the analysis, as it emphasized the importance of relationships and connections between individuals and groups. A qualitative research methodology was employed, utilizing participatory observation, personal interviews, and key informant interviews. General interviews were conducted with randomly selected Nepalese individuals from diverse backgrounds, including drivers, traders, shopkeepers, hoteliers, guides, waiters, students, and teachers—each with varying degrees of interaction with Chinese nationals. A total of 36 personal interviews and observations were conducted across five locations: the Campus of International Languages, Thamel, Pokhara, Sauraha, and three border areas—Tatopani (Sindhupalchowk), Lo Manthang (Mustang), and Rasuwagadhi (Rasuwa). To complement and deepen the findings, 19 key informant interviews were conducted with professors, ambassadors, former ambassadors, political figures, diplomats, and authors with expertise in Nepal-China relations. These interviews were conducted mostly in-person, with a few carried out online or via phone between July 2022 and May 2024. Thematic coding and relational thinking revealed that the factors shaping people-to-people relations fell into three interconnected networks: cultural, economic, and diplomatic. The cultural network included shared religious traditions such as Buddhism, festivals, food practices, cross-border marriages, language, public perceptions, communication technologies, and cultural appreciation. The economic network consisted of cross-border trade, tourism, Chinese foreign direct investment, and labor migration. Meanwhile, the diplomatic network was shaped by cross-border mobility, aid and assistance, education and scholarship programs, exchange visits, and crisis management. Nepal’s foreign policy towards China, although addressed people-to-people relations,it is concluded that strengthening people-to-people relations required a holistic approach integrating all three networks. The summary emphasized about strategies like infrastructure and connectivity, promoting cultural diplomacy (especially targeting border communities), expanding student exchange programs, encouraging tourism and academic collaborations, organizing exchange visits and think tank dialogues, and fostering media partnerships for enhancing ties. Rooted in social network theory, these strategies offered concrete pathways to deepen ties between the people of Nepal and China.