Online Seminar on China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and Its Impact on Nepal’s Development

CGTN Nepali Service, in collaboration with the Sino-Nepal Media Society, organized an online seminar on Friday, Chaitra 26 (April 10), focusing on China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, its policies, and its potential impact on Nepal.

Participants in the seminar included Dr. Bal Ram Duwal, Nepali Director of the Confucius Institute at Tribhuvan University; Dr. Rupak Sapkota, expert on China-Nepal relations and international affairs; Bishnu Rijal, Central Committee member of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML); and Rajendra Rimal, Editor of Jana Aastha Online.

The discussion centered on how China’s 15th Five-Year Plan could benefit Nepal and how Nepal could best utilize these opportunities. Speakers emphasized that China’s new plan prioritizes industrial modernization, technological self-reliance, and expansion of domestic demand, and that Nepal has strong potential to benefit from these developments.

The program began with a video message from Shen Haixiong, Director General of China Media Group (CMG). In his message, he stated that the 15th Five-Year Plan was approved during China’s “Two Sessions,” which serve as an important window into China’s governance. The plan includes 20 major indicators and 109 key projects across six sectors. He noted that China’s GDP growth is expected to remain between 4.5% and 5%. He further emphasized that China’s high-quality development is creating new opportunities for the world. Referring to a CGTN survey, he mentioned that 80% of respondents believe China’s development vision contributes positively to the global economy amid today’s complex challenges. He highlighted China’s continued openness and the role of innovation and AI in advancing human development, stressing that China’s prosperity is closely linked with global development and peace, and calling for cooperation toward a shared future for humanity.

Following his message, Li Chao, Associate Director and expert from the Institute for China Development Planning at Tsinghua University, presented his views on the 15th Five-Year Plan. He explained the plan’s goals and how both China and the world could benefit from it. He noted that by 2030, China aims to make significant progress in economic strength, technological capability, and overall national power, benefiting not only China but also the global economy.

He emphasized that the plan includes a full chapter on “expanding high-level openness,” highlighting that China’s openness is not a solitary journey but a shared one with the world. He also stressed the importance of building a modern industrial system. He mentioned plans to transform deserts into “energy oceans” through solar and wind power, stating that such technologies will improve quality of life. He projected that AI-related industries could grow by over $1.4 trillion by 2030, calling it a tremendous opportunity.

Li also highlighted opportunities for Nepali agricultural products in the Chinese market. He stated that agricultural goods from Nepal and Pakistan could enter China competitively due to lower costs. Chinese consumers are willing to pay for high-quality agricultural products, and in the coming years, more agricultural goods from Asia and Africa will reach Chinese households.

Dr. Bal Ram Duwal emphasized that Nepal should learn from China’s planning and implementation processes. He highlighted that China’s development is built on a strong foundation and infrastructure, guided by principles such as people-centered development, high-quality growth, deepened reforms, effective markets, efficient governance, and balanced development and security.

He noted that a key aspect of the 15th Five-Year Plan is China’s leadership in global initiatives, including the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative. These promote multilateralism and oppose protectionism, creating opportunities for balanced, inclusive, and sustainable development in developing countries.

He also pointed out China’s strong focus on rural revitalization, aiming to raise urbanization to 70%. Infrastructure development—including roads, railways, and aviation—will extend to Nepal’s borders, and Nepal must prepare to take advantage of these developments. He added that as China’s middle class grows, outbound tourism will increase, offering Nepal opportunities to attract more high-quality Chinese tourists for longer stays.

Dr. Rupak Sapkota stated that China’s Five-Year Plans are designed by considering both opportunities and challenges. He emphasized global interdependence and noted that China’s technological self-reliance and innovation are benefiting not only itself but also other countries, including Nepal and the Global South.

He pointed out that despite strong political ties, Nepal has not fully translated them into economic cooperation. He suggested that this plan offers an opportunity to strengthen economic collaboration, including under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). He stressed the importance of bringing Chinese technology into Nepal, particularly for agricultural modernization.

Bishnu Rijal discussed China’s development trajectory and highlighted how planned development has driven its rapid progress since 1953. He contrasted this with Nepal’s challenges, particularly political instability, which has hindered development plans. He noted that Nepal is currently implementing its 16th Five-Year Plan but has struggled due to governments not completing full terms. He emphasized that political stability is essential for achieving similar development success.

He added that while China has consistently supported Nepal, Nepal has not always been able to translate this support into tangible outcomes. He expressed hope that Nepal could learn from China’s practical and result-oriented approach.

Rajendra Rimal highlighted that a defining feature of China’s development model is its structured planning through Five-Year Plans. He described the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) as a critical phase toward achieving socialist modernization by 2035. He noted that the plan prioritizes high-quality development, technological self-reliance, green transformation, and strengthening domestic demand.

He emphasized the importance of China’s role in Nepal’s infrastructure development, including roads and railways, and described China as a key economic partner. He noted that Nepal-China relations have evolved from traditional diplomacy into a comprehensive strategic partnership, especially since the 2019 agreement on “Strategic Cooperation Featuring Everlasting Friendship for Development and Prosperity.”

He also cited Laos as an example of how a landlocked country can benefit from cooperation with China, suggesting Nepal could follow a similar path. Like other speakers, he stressed the importance of Nepal engaging with China’s Belt and Road Initiative for economic development.

Finally, Dhruva Paudel, President of the Sino-Nepal Media Society, delivered a vote of thanks, noting that the insights shared by Nepali experts highlighted important ways Nepal can benefit from China’s development strategies.