China Launches ‘Silk Roadster’ Projects in Nepal to Boost Agri Sector and More

Communist Party of China (CPC) launched the "Silk Roadster" platform in Bhaktapur, Nepal, amid the presence of several political parties and social organizations. The platform is a significant milestone in Nepal's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and aims to foster practical cooperation between China and Southeast and South Asian countries in many sectors.

The concept paper for Silk Roadster reveals a comprehensive plan that includes technical skills training, people-centric services, overseas study projects, short-term exchanges, cooperation between enterprises, and cultural exhibitions with Southeast and South Asian countries. The platform seeks to coordinate resources from local governments, universities, enterprises, and institutions in China to facilitate these projects.

The platform comprises five projects: Silk Road Embarkment, Silk Road Empowerment, Silk Road Enjoyment, Silk Road Enlightenment, and Silk Road Enhancement. These projects will be executed in collaboration with various Nepali political parties and social organizations.

The expansion of the BRI concept to encompass smaller projects, such as education, skills training, and scholarships, reflects a departure from the traditional focus on infrastructure and connectivity projects. While some leaders have expressed enthusiasm for these practical cooperation projects, others are cautious about potential contradictions with Nepal's government policies.

The Silk Road Embarkment project aims to provide practical benefits to people through services such as free physical check-ups, medical care, optometry, and electrical appliance repair. On the other hand, the Silk Road Empowerment project focuses on vocational skills training, offering vocational education courses to Southeast and South Asian countries through the Cloud Platform for Generation Z Vocational Education Cooperation.

The Silk Road Enhancement project seeks to boost business exchanges and cooperation, facilitating connections between enterprises in the region. During the platform's launch event, the Chinese side generously shared essential items with the local attendees, including solar lights, biological sticky traps for insects, food and oil packs, presbyopia glasses, and magnifying glasses.

Additionally, the working group from the CPC's International Department Liaison Office conducted events for the Silk Road Embarkment and Silk Road Empowerment projects in Nepal. Representatives from eight Nepali political parties and some NGOs attended the function, further fostering bilateral relations and party-to-party friendship.

The event also saw the signing of memorandums of understanding between Chinese and Nepali vocational institutions, aiming to share high-quality technical advancements, innovation, and new technologies in sectors like agriculture, renewable energy, and healthcare.