China launches platform to promote its soft power in Nepal

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

China has launched a slew of new projects as part of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which aim to open new avenues of collaboration with Southeast and South Asian nations through Nepal, where India has huge strategic interests. The projects—clubbed under a platform called the ‘Silk Roadster’—were launched earlier this month to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s most important initiative, the BRI.

There are five projects under the platform: the Silk Road Embarkment, the Silk Road Empowerment, the Silk Road Enjoyment, the Silk Road Enlightenment and the Silk Road Enhancement, ET has learnt. China seeks to implement these projects through various political parties and social organisations in Nepal.

Designed to foster practical cooperation and facilitate people-to-people exchanges, the Silk Roadster aims at coordinating resources from local governments, universities, enterprises and institutions in China, claimed China watchers. The platform will involve technical skills training, services for the people, overseas study projects, short-term exchanges, cooperation between enterprises and cultural exhibitions and exchange events with Nepal and other countries in the region that have joined the BRI, ET has learnt.

The Silk Road Embarkment will focus on small projects to improve the quality of citizens' lives. The Silk Road Empowerment will prioritise vocational training where Chinese schools will offer courses to partner countries in the region through the Cloud Platform for Generation Z Vocational Education Cooperation, aimed at nurturing technical manpower for the long term.