Beijing [China], Sept 15 – Nepal’s Chief of Army Staff General Ashok Raj Sigdel has reached China to participate in the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, a key international platform for defence and security dialogue.
During his visit, General Sigdel also visited the Nepali Embassy in China and held an interaction with embassy officials on contemporary issues concerning Nepal-China relations.
The Army chief is on a week-long official visit to China and is scheduled to return to Nepal on September 19. He is expected to attend the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, being held from September 15 to 17 at the Beijing International Convention Centre.
According to reports, General Sigdel is expected to meet senior Chinese military officials and discuss future military cooperation, including preparations for the next round of the Nepal-China joint military exercise, Sagarmatha Friendship.
The sixth edition of the exercise is scheduled to take place in China this year.
General Sigdel is also expected to address the forum, which this year is being held under the theme, “Build Consensus on Stability, Advance Security Governance Together.”
The forum will bring together senior defence officials, military leaders, heads of international and regional organisations, and experts and scholars. Its discussions will cover international order and strategic stability, regional conflicts, security challenges in the Asia-Pacific and the role of developing countries in security governance.
Nepal has regularly participated in the Beijing Xiangshan Forum. Former Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ishwar Pokhrel attended the eighth edition in 2018, while then-Chief of Army Staff Prabhuram Sharma attended the 10th edition in 2023.
General Sigdel had also been invited to the 12th edition last year but did not attend amid the Gen Z movement in Nepal.
This is General Sigdel’s first visit to China since taking charge as Nepal’s Army chief in September 2025.
