A team from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has arrived in Kathmandu to participate in the fifth edition of joint military exercises with the Nepali Army, scheduled to start tomorrow. The PLA team, consisting of 37 soldiers, arrived via Lhasa on a Himalayan Airlines flight on Friday.

The 10-day exercise, named ‘Esgarmatha Friendship’, will focus on counter-terrorism, warfare, disaster management, and other operational skills. Last year, the fourth edition of the exercise was held in Chongqing, China.

Defense Ministry spokesperson Manoj Kumar Acharya emphasized that these joint exercises are part of a regular program aimed at capacity building and experience sharing, adding that they are not targeted at any country. Nepal has similarly conducted military exercises with India and the US, such as the annual ‘Surya Kiran’ exercises with the Indian Army.

The joint exercises between Nepal and China have raised questions among neighboring countries and Western powers amid Beijing’s push for BRI projects and increased military collaboration. The partnership, however, continues as part of Nepal’s broader strategy to enhance its defense capabilities and maintain international military cooperation.