The traditional lion and dances welcoming the Chinese New Year in Nepal this year had special reasons to celebrate with the donation of 1,000 bicycles by China and the launch of Nepal Visit Year marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Nepal in 2025.

“Those are significant events in bringing the neighbors who are very important to each other even closer with cultural and economic ties,” Manoj Man Shrestha, the general secretary of Arniko Society in Nepal, which comprises members of scholars and experts who had studied in China, told China Daily.

Anoop Ranjan Bhattarai, chairman of Nepal-China Executives Council said that it will be a milestone year ahead, in the areas of tourism, trade and investment for both sides. He hopes that his friendship organization can act as a key platform to promote bilateral ties. The organization was established in 2003 to promote friendly relations between Nepal and China in the fields of trade, investment and tourism.

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“This year, we will be promoting Nepal tourism in different parts of China including the expo in Yunnan …we are planning to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations by presenting a Buddha statue to Yunnan province” as the friendship has lasted for over 2,000 years, he added.

An exhibit of glowing red lanterns, stunning artistic performances and a friendship football match, among others, will be held in the capital Kathmandu to welcome the Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, which falls on Jan 29. Spring Festival was listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity in early December.

This year is the Year of the Snake according to the Chinese zodiac and Shrestha of Arniko Society said the celebrations introduced the traditions to Nepalese, who have shown a growing interest in learning more about Chinese culture and customs. "There is a good, strong atmosphere of Chinese New Year in Kathmandu and other major cities in Nepal with all the decorations, and performances," he said.

Earlier traditional lion and dragon dances performed by artists from China and Nepal in the Kathmandu Valley kicked off a string of festive events for Spring Festival on Jan 18. During the launch ceremony at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Nepal, Chinese artists displaying lion dance on tables and high poles and a flower drum dance drew loud cheers from the crowds. Nepali artists wowed the audience with a popular monkey-step dance and dragon dance.

"Celebrating Chinese New Year in Nepal is a reflection of the deep relationship between the two countries," said Dipak Khadka, Nepal's minister for energy, water resources and irrigation.

He made the statement during a ceremony that also marked the official launch of the Nepal Visit Year, a key event in the celebration of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Nepal and China.

"Being our very close neighbor, I would like to recall the support China has provided in Nepal's tourism, energy, agriculture and other sectors," he added.

Shrestha said the Nepal Visit Year will help the country immensely as tourism is a vital sector for its economy, and officials hope it will attract more Chinese visitors to the mountainous region.

The Chinese ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, said that he hopes that both sides can seize the opportunity to tap the potential for cooperation in tourism and other fields, use the rapid development of tourism to drive exchanges and cooperation between China and Nepal in economy and trade, connectivity, infrastructure, culture and education, and help Nepal realize the upgrading of its tourism software and hardware.

Both sides are expected to implement the Global Civilization Initiative to promote the implementation of the Global Development Initiative proposed by China, thus accelerating the realization of the development vision of "Prosperous Nepal and Happy Nepali”, said the Chinese ambassador.

Earlier this week, the first batch of 1,000 bicycles from China was also donated to Nepal, benefiting students from nine community schools in two districts of Madhesh province.

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Imtiaz Alam, deputy mayor of Birgunj, said at the inauguration ceremony held at a school in the city of Birgunj in southern Nepal, "I'm looking forward to the expansion of the support in the future.”

According to Zou Zhiqiang, director of the Nepal Office of China Foundation for Rural Development, they hope this donation will mark the first step in addressing the problem of going to school for children living in remote areas.

A series of poverty-reduction demonstration projects in Nepal has been initiated by the Chinese side. The Chinese embassy said they will continue to promote projects in Nepal and bring more benefits to its people.

Xinhua contributed to the story.