China

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to visit Beijing from May 23-26 for discussions on bilateral relations and issues of common concern, including mediation efforts in the Middle East conflict. China stated it will collaborate with Pakistan to contribute to peace and stability in the region, supporting Pakistan's role as a mediator.

Nepal has sent diplomatic notes to both India and China regarding the use of the Lipulekh Pass, with India responding promptly while China has remained silent. The Nepalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is awaiting a response from Beijing to clarify its position on the disputed territory, which has been a point of contention based on historical treaties and border definitions.

Nepal's smartphone imports have surpassed the total value of the previous fiscal year within the first 10 months of fiscal year 2025/26, reaching Rs. 39.39 billion. This surge, driven by increased demand for higher-priced devices and currency depreciation, has also led to a significant rise in customs revenue.

The Cabinet has approved financial assistance for families displaced from informal settlements in the Kathmandu Valley, providing a one-time resettlement support of Rs 25,000 per family and monthly housing support of Rs 15,000 for up to five members for three months. Additionally, the government decided to accept foreign grants from Switzerland and China for development projects.

The Nepali Cabinet appointed Joint Secretary Mukesh Dangol as the Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). Government Spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel announced that the cabinet also approved a reply letter to China for the Chilime-Kerung power transmission line, decided to publicize the Cooperatives Fraud Probe Commission report, and set the minimum support price for paddy.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated that China remains a critical long-term market for the company's AI chips, despite ongoing US export controls. Huang highlighted that China is a key part of the projected $200 billion market for agentic AI CPUs, with demand expanding beyond traditional GPUs. He also noted increased production of Nvidia's Vera Rubin AI platform and closer collaboration with Taiwanese manufacturers like TSMC.

The Chinese Embassy in Nepal has categorically rejected rumors circulating on social media alleging a Chinese national attempted to bribe Nepali journalists to publish negative reports about a politician. The embassy expressed shock and condemned the attempts to defame China, reiterating its commitment to non-interference in other countries' internal affairs and urging Nepali authorities to investigate the matter.

The government has appointed Joint Secretary Mukesh Dangol as the new Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting on Monday, as announced by government spokesperson and Minister for Education, Sasmit Pokharel. Dangol, who has prior experience as an acting Director General, was selected from 21 applicants.

Nepal has sent protest letters to India and China regarding the Lipulekh Pass, asserting that the territory belongs to Nepal and neither country has the right to use it without agreement. The dispute was reignited when India announced plans to resume a pilgrimage route through the pass, a move Nepal claims was made without consultation. India maintains that pilgrims have used the route since 1954 and disputes Nepal's claim.

China successfully launched the Shenzhou 23 spacecraft on Sunday night, sending three astronauts to its Tiangong space station. One astronaut is scheduled for a yearlong stay, aiming to explore the limits of human adaptability in long-duration spaceflight. This mission is part of China's broader space program, which includes a goal for a crewed lunar landing by 2030.