By Shanker Man Singh  At the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha paid an official visit to China from March 24 to April 1. During his stay in Beijing, DPM Shrestha held bilateral meetings with senior Chinese leaders. Besides Beijing, DPM Shrestha also visited Chengdu, Chongqing, and Lhasa. DPM Shrestha visited China when the Boao Forum for Asia-2024 took place, however, he didn't attend the summit in Boao, Hainan. Just to recapitulate last year, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal did not participate in the Boao Forum, which is held annually in Henan, China, citing the reason for his visit to India. The Boao Forum for Asia, an effective platform for dialogue and cooperation in the Asian region, is holding its 2024 annual conference in the scenic resort town of Boao, located in southern China's Hainan Province. The Boao Forum serves as an important platform for Asian countries to discuss, exchange ideas and enhance cooperation. High-level government participation from Nepal could increase its regional influence and strengthen diplomatic relations. Nevertheless, former minister and vice chairman of the UML, Bishnu Poudel attended the Forum summit. The conference provides opportunities for Nepal to explore economic partnerships, attract foreign investment and promote trade relations with other Asian nations. Nepal can gain insights from successful economic models, technological developments, and best practices shared at the forum. Among its weaknesses, Nepal's representation under limited representation may be limited due to its low economy and population. Active participation and visibility will need to be ensured. Attendance at international conferences includes costs associated with travel, accommodation, and participation fees. Nepal's participation can attract foreign direct investment (FDI) by showing potential sectors like tourism, hydropower and agriculture. Discussions on climate resilience and sustainable practices align with Nepal's priorities. In terms of geopolitical tensions, regional tensions can affect the forum's environment. Nepal should "navigate" it sensitively at what level of participation. Other countries also compete for attention and share. Nepal should present its unique value proposition. Attending conferences is valuable, but follow-up actions are equally important. Nepal should make a strategy for implementation after the forum. Finally, Nepal's participation in the “Boao Forum 2024” can be expected to provide an opportunity to engage with regional leaders, learn from success stories and contribute to the development and stability of Asia. Looking at the past, PM Dahal, who had cancelled the visit last year, clarified that it was not Nepal's decision not to participate in the Boao Forum for Asia to be held in China in March. Responding to a question in the National Assembly, the PM said that the Chinese Ambassador had suggested that he should not participate in the forum due to the difficult political situation in Kathmandu. PM Dhal had said "I have thanked the Chinese ambassador for the suggestion," Dahal said a year ago. "Then I quit the show." Nepali Ambassador to China, Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, represented Nepal at the Boao Forum last year. "The Chinese ambassador advised me to postpone my visit to China after understanding the evolving political situation in Kathmandu, including the presidential election and the change of alliance," Dahal said in Parliament. The significance of the Boao Forum for Asia 2024 is that it discussed AI, the future of new energy vehicles, and high-quality “Belt and Road Cooperation.” The economy and lifestyle of humanity, the risks it brings, and global AI governance will also be important for Nepal. In the context of the Belt and Road Initiative's fruitful results in deepening the connectivity of infrastructure, technology, standards, regulations and operations over the past decade, and how to jointly build the "Digital Silk Road". Every nation must follow the five principles of peace mentioned in the United Nations Charter. Since its establishment in 2001, Nepal has been a regular participant in the Boao Forum for Asia, often sending high-level delegations to Hainan. Nepal is one of the 29 founding countries. PM Dahal participated in the event in 2017. Other Nepalese officials who have participated in the forum in the past include former President Rambaran Yadav, King Birendra and King Gyanendra. Regarding participation, the Kathmandu-based China Study Center indicated that when Nepal was in the process of forming the Cabinet, it was only expected that there would be no high-level participation from Nepal in the Boao Forum this year. Dahal was formally invited to the Forum, but it is said that he "opted out" to manage Nepal's internal politics. However, Nepal should not miss opportunities to participate in international forums where it can express its concerns in times of controversial global polarization. The export trade with China, which decreased in the past due to Corona infection, has started to gradually improve. Exports from Nepal directly to China were affected due to the closure of customs checkpoints connected to Nepal for security reasons. The statistics of the customs department show that after the effects of the coronavirus started to decrease, the export has started to show a significant improvement after the regular operation of customs checkpoints. Nepal and China are traditional friends, neighbors, and strategic cooperative partners. Since our two countries established diplomatic relations 69 years ago, regardless of the development of the international or regional situation, China-Nepal relations have maintained strong and steady progress. Our two countries have understood and supported each other on issues of our respective core interests, making this relationship a good example of equality and "win-win" cooperation between countries of different sizes. In recent years, our two countries have frequently held high-level exchanges, enhanced communication and cooperation in the economic and cultural fields, and maintained close coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs. China is ready to work with Nepal to deepen strategic mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and take strategic cooperative partnerships to new heights. Although China and India have different governance systems and different views on global politics, it has been a difficult task for Nepali leaders to manage these two great powers. Due to its own internal constraints, Nepal is dependent on neighboring countries for development. Although India has been involved in this sector for a long time, in recent years China's entry into the development sector has been well accepted by the general public. This time, during the visit of the Nepali Foreign Minister, China focused on the implementation of the agreements reached during the visit of Chinese President Xi to Nepal and the implementation of the agreements reached with Nepal in the past. 20 points of agreement reached during President Xi's visit to Nepal: An agreement on border management system between the Government of Nepal and China, Agreement on exchange and cooperation between the Government of Nepal and China in governance capacity development, Agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, Agreement on cooperation in the protection of Mount Everest, Nepal's Planning Commission and China's National Agreement between the Development and Reform Commission on investment in production capacity and promotion of key projects in cooperation, exchange of notes for the establishment of the Consulate General of Nepal in Chengdu, agreement between the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport of Nepal and the Ministry of Transport of China regarding the railway project across the China-Nepal border, sisterhood between Kathmandu Metropolitan City and the city of Nanjing in China. An agreement to establish relations, an agreement to establish sister relations between Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City and Xi'an City, and an agreement on cooperation in traditional medicine between the Ministry of Health and Population of Nepal and the Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Also, an agreement on disaster risk reduction and emergency assistance between the Ministry of Home Affairs of Nepal and the Ministry of Disaster Management of China, an agreement on cooperation between the Attorney General's Office of Nepal and the Supreme People's Procurator of China, an agreement to establish a Confucius Institute in Tribhuvan between Tribhuvan University and China's Confucius Institute headquarters, between Nepal's Ministry of Agriculture and China's Customs Department. Phytosanitary Protocol on Quality Measurement of Sour Fruits, Agreement between the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply of Nepal and the Ministry of Commerce of China on the establishment of a joint working group on trade, Delivery and Acceptance Certificate for the inspection of the post-earthquake reconstruction project in Nepal with the assistance of China, Agreement on the establishment of an Investment Cooperation Working Group between the Ministry of Finance of Nepal and the Ministry of Commerce of China, the Ministry of Finance of Nepal and China's International Development Cooperation Agency signed an agreement on tunnel construction cooperation, exchange of letters on border security equipment and office equipment, meeting notes on the feasibility study of metropolitan water supply improvement project in Kathmandu Valley with the help of China, etc. In the background of growing India-US partnership, US-China rivalry and declining India-China relations, Nepal has a difficult task of maintaining its relations with China. In order to protect its own interests, it is necessary to sensibly evaluate the developed regional and global geopolitics and deal with the two neighbors through effective and efficient diplomacy without falling into the adverse cycle of relations between the countries, it is necessary for Nepal to maintain important relations for its progress and development. The Core Agenda Connectivity is still very important for a country like Nepal. We are talking about connectivity, not just physical connectivity, connectivity of ideas, connectivity of trade, connectivity of people, connectivity of finance and all dimensions of connectivity. Nepal is participating in this very important initiative taken by President Xi Jinping. Kerung-Kathmandu railway project and others are expected to accelerate. Discussions about the pre-feasibility of Kerung-Kathmandu-Pokhara railway and Kerung-Kathmandu-Lumbini railway are important. Kerung-Kathmandu railway project and others are expected to accelerate. Discussions about the pre-feasibility of Kerung-Kathmandu-Pokhara railway and Kerung-Kathmandu-Lumbini railway are important. Considering the advantages and disadvantages of Boao Forum for Nepal, its major advantages and challenges are as follows: Foundation in International Forum: Boao Forum is an international forum which has foundations from different countries of the world. It presents Nepal prominently in the world and enhances relations with other countries. An opportunity for economic development The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect People’s Review’s editorial stance.