A friendly race between Nepali and Chinese students was organised at Beijing Sports University on Thursday. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who is on a state visit to China, inaugurated the ceremony the event organised to display the cooperation between the people of the two countries.

Beijing-based Nepali embassy and China’s General Administration of Sports jointly organised the event where 100 participants from each side took part. Chinese runners bagged the first, second and third prize in the 3-km race. They were felicitated with cup, cash prize and certificates.

It is learnt that Nepali ambassador to China Leela Mani Paudyal had been pitching for organising such event to encourage the people-to-people connection since his beginning days at the office. His efforts came to fruition now coinciding with the visit of PM Oli.

Nepali community living in Beijing said that the ‘friendship run’ was first of its kind to be held in China. They were of the view that such activities would help deepen Nepal-China friendship at people-to-people level.

Nepali embassy’s Minister Counsellor Harischandra Ghimire  who also looks after the cultural affairs of the Embassy said that the programme is aimed at enhancing people-to-people relation, culture exchange and tourism promotion.

“The Nepal-China friendship run is held for the first time in China. This is a momentous time for Nepal and China. It brings Nepali expats and Chinese together,” said Asmod Karki, a Yenching scholar at Peking University. Hailing the embassy’s effort in initiating such programme, Karki added that there have been very few initiatives to bring Nepali and Chinese people together in China. “It’s a good start but the question is how to continue such activities in future,” he said.

A Chinese participant and a student at the university, Huang Xueao expressed his happiness to run together with the Nepali people. “I wish China-Nepal friendship lasts forever,” said Huang.

Also present on the occasion were China’s Vice Minister of the State General Administration of Sports Gao Zhidan, China’s Ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong, Chinese officials and PM Oli’s delegation.

Here are some moments from the event.