Painting Friendship in Sand : Celebrating 70th Anniversary of China-Nepal Diplomatic Relations

Painting Friendship in Sand : Celebrating 70th Anniversary of China-Nepal Diplomatic Relations

To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nepal, the "Silk Road Youth Sand Painting Exhibition and Performance" series of cultural exchange events was successfully held in Kathmandu from July 30 to August 3, 2025, with the strong support of the Chinese Embassy in Nepal.

Hosted by the Silk Road Cities Alliance and co-organized by the Beijing Belt & Road Cooperative Community and the Organizing Committee of the Silk Road Youth International Competition, the event brought together dozens of outstanding young sand painting artists. Joined by the Shenzhen University International Choir and artists from the Silk Road Cities Alliance Art Museum, the delegation crossed mountains and seas, using art as a bridge to foster mutual understanding and friendship. Together, they painted a vibrant new chapter in the enduring friendship between China and Nepal.

A Warm Launch of Cultural Exchange

On the morning of August 1st, the delegation visited the prestigious Ullens School in Kathmandu for an immersive China-Nepal cultural exchange activity that combined sand art, dance, and choral singing. Flowing sand paintings, graceful dance movements, and melodious songs intertwined, blending artistic elements from both countries and earning rounds of applause from students and teachers alike.

During the interactive session, Chinese student representatives taught their Nepali peers how to create sand paintings with colored sand, passing on culture through hands-on engagement and deepening friendship through exchange. The two sides exchanged culturally distinctive souvenirs and collaboratively created a large-scale sand painting on the ground symbolizing China-Nepal friendship, outlining a shared vision of walking forward together, grain by grain.

The Shenzhen University International Choir also joined Nepali university students in a heartfelt performance of the original song Our Shared Himalayas, with lyrics adapted from a poem by Dr. Oli, the Ambassador of Nepal to China—becoming a striking highlight of poetry and music fusion between the two nations.

Distinguished Guests Witness the Cultural Dialogue

Guests attending the event included: Counsellor Wang Xin from the Chinese Embassy in Nepal; Ms. Qin Wenci, Director of the Consular and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, and Consul Wang Yazhe; Dr. Kalyan Raj Sharma, Chair of the Nepal-China Friendship Forum; Ms. Aruna Gyawali, Chair of the Board of Ullens School; Principal Madin Lamichhane; Vice Principal Ekata Rana; Ms. Wu Bixiu, Secretary-General of the Silk Road Cities Alliance; Mr. Su Dabao, Head of the Silk Road Sand Art Delegation; Prof. An Ping from the Central Conservatory of Music; Prof. Su Ling, a Russian literature expert from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; and Ms. Zhang Jian, Council Member of the Beijing Silk Road Cooperation and Development Promotion Association. Together, they joined Chinese and Nepali students and teachers in witnessing this cross-cultural artistic dialogue.

Mr. Madin Lamichhane, Principal of Ullens School, presented a Buddha painting to the delegation, expressing his hope to deepen China-Nepal friendship through the shared bond of Buddhist culture. On behalf of the Chinese organisers and co-organisers, Su Dabao donated a sand art teaching station and accompanying materials to Ullens School, expressing the wish to use sand art as a medium for helping Nepali youth gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture—and to infuse Belt and Road cultural exchange with youthful creativity and vitality.

Art as a Bridge, Hearts Connected for the Future

At this important moment marking the 70th anniversary of China-Nepal diplomatic relations, the “Silk Road Youth Sand Art Delegation” vividly showcased the charm and integration of the two cultures. It not only added a vibrant stroke to the anniversary celebrations but also laid a solid foundation for deeper people-to-people exchanges and cultural cooperation in the future.

Looking ahead, the program aims to engage more youth from across the globe. As it promotes the international dissemination of sand art, it will also serve as a fresh and creative platform for telling Silk Road stories and sharing Chinese culture with the world.