In the afternoon of May 21, 2024, with the support of the Office of State Cooperation and the Ministry of Commerce, the opening ceremony of the short-term foreign aid training project "China Nepal Railway (Overseas Section) Feasibility Study Project Seminar" undertaken by Beijing Jiaotong University was held in our school. Du Wei, Director of the First Regional Division of the National Agency for International Development Cooperation, Hao Kuansheng, Deputy Director of the Comprehensive Department (Foreign Affairs Department) of the State Railway Administration, Jiang Aimin, Vice President of China Railway First Survey and Design Institute Group Co., Ltd., and Jing Tao, Vice President of Beijing Jiaotong University attended and delivered speeches.

Du Wei said that China and Nepal are traditional friendly neighbors and strategic partners. The China Nepal cross-border railway is an important part of the cross Himalayan three-dimensional interconnection network. The China Nepal cross-border railway project is progressing smoothly, which will lay a solid foundation for scientific demonstration of railway engineering construction, promote economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges between China and Nepal, and jointly build the "Belt and Road" with high quality It is of great significance. The seminar project is an important measure of China's support for the construction of the China Nigeria railway. It is suggested that the students cherish the rare opportunity to help the railway engineering feasibility study work, go more, see more, and understand China in depth, so as to become the envoy of China Nigeria cultural exchanges and witness of China Nigeria friendship.

Hao Kuansheng pointed out that the China Nepal cross-border railway is an important part of the high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road" and the cross Himalayan three-dimensional interconnection network. The completion of this railway will greatly promote Nepal's leap forward development from a "land locked country" to a "land linked country", inject strong impetus into Nepal's economic prosperity, and further facilitate trade exchanges and personnel exchanges between the two countries. We firmly believe that this cooperation project will benefit the two peoples and become another witness of China Nepal friendship. At the same time, he also hopes that all the students can make full use of this valuable research opportunity to have in-depth study, extensive exchanges, and consensus building, so as to spend a pleasant and substantial learning time in China.

Jiang Aimin described the development process of the First Railway Research Institute, and expressed his sincere joy that the seminar included the trip to Xi'an and the visit of the First Railway Research Institute into its carefully planned trip. He said that CREEC is sincerely looking forward to showing the glorious history of China's railway to Nepalese friends, and has more carefully planned the on-site experience of railway survey to simulate the big scene in the laboratory, so that everyone can experience the charm and challenges of railway construction. We are all closely linked by the great project of the China Nepal Railway, and we hope that this seminar will add more solid foundation stones to the bridge of friendship between China and Nigeria.

Jing Tao extended a warm welcome to the Nepalese officials who participated in the seminar. He introduced the basic situation of Beijing Jiaotong University in detail, and emphasized that since the "Belt and Road" initiative was put forward, the university has actively responded to the major strategic needs of the country, given full play to the advantages and characteristics of the transportation field, and is committed to cultivating international talents. Jing Tao introduced the curriculum of this seminar, and especially pointed out that 71 Nepalese officials have come to Beijing Jiaotong University for research and exchange through short-term and medium-term foreign aid training programs. This figure fully demonstrates the positive contribution of the school in promoting China Nepal cooperation in the field of transportation under the "Belt and Road" framework and the global development initiative. Beijing Jiaotong University sincerely hopes that this seminar can further expand education and scientific research cooperation with Nepal in the field of transportation, deepen friendship and mutual trust between the two countries, and jointly contribute to the development of transportation in both countries and the world.

At the opening ceremony, Mr. Rajmi Narayan Prasad, the joint secretary of the Federal Affairs and General Administration Department of the Government of Nepal, made a speech as the representative of the trainees. He expressed his gratitude to China for its long-term strong support and help to Nepal. The construction of the China Nigeria railway will help to enhance the personnel exchanges, trade circulation and tourism economy of the two countries. It will take advantage of valuable learning opportunities in China to broaden its vision, learn from China's successful experience in promoting economic and social progress through railway planning and construction, and help the country achieve rapid development.

The officials who participated in the seminar came from 18 government departments, including the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers Office, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Railways, the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration. During the 10 day seminar, we will study and teach in Beijing, and visit Xi'an. The trainees will systematically learn the theoretical knowledge of track, subgrade, bridge, tunnel and other design used in the railway feasibility study, and experience China's development experience in railway engineering.

Relevant leaders from the National Agency for International Development Cooperation, the National Railway Administration, China Railway First Survey and Design Institute Group Co., Ltd., the School of International Education, the School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, and the International Division of Beijing Jiaotong University attended the opening ceremony.

Editor in charge: Li Xuegu and Yu Kun

Reviewed by: Yuan Fang, Wang Ruixia