Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi cautioned Nepal to prioritize closer regional relationships during talks with Nepali Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal in Beijing. The message, delivered during Khanal’s four-day visit, subtly referenced Western involvement in Nepal’s political landscape. Wang Yi’s statement – “a neighbour nearby is better than a distant relative” – is interpreted as a warning against increased reliance on countries further afield, namely the United States and its allies. The discussion occurred amidst ongoing political shifts within Nepal and increasing engagement from Western nations. While details of the talks remain limited, the Chinese government clearly signaled its attentiveness to developments in Nepal. This diplomatic exchange underscores China’s strategic interests in maintaining influence in the Himalayan nation. The meeting aimed to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.