Nepal Army chief heads to Beijing for Xiangshan Forum and China talks

Nepal Army chief Ashok Raj Sigdel left for Beijing on Sunday on a week-long official visit to China at the invitation of the Chinese government, according to an official statement. During the September 13-19 visit, he will attend the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, a key platform for international security and defence dialogue.

The Nepal Army said the visit is expected to strengthen military ties between Nepal and China and support Nepal's foreign policy through military diplomacy. During Sigdel's absence, Nepal Army Chief of Staff Pradeep Jung KC will serve as acting chief of the Nepal Army.

The 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum will be held from September 15 to 17 at the Beijing International Convention Centre. Its theme this year is "Build Consensus on Stability, Advance Security Governance Together". The forum will bring together senior defence officials, military leaders, heads of international and regional organisations, and experts and scholars.

Sigdel is also expected to address the forum, The Kathmandu Post reported. During his visit, he is expected to meet senior Chinese military officials and discuss future military cooperation, including preparations for the next edition of the joint Nepal-China military exercise, Sagarmatha Friendship, the report said.

Nepal and China have been holding the Sagarmatha Friendship joint military exercise since 2017, focusing on areas such as counter-terrorism, disaster response and professional exchanges between the two armies. Overall, Sigdel's visit centres on the Beijing forum and wider military engagement between Nepal and China.