KATHMANDU: Chinese language classes targeting Nepal’s tourism entrepreneurs will begin on May 11 (Monday).

At a press conference and inauguration ceremony held on Friday at the Nepal Tourism Board hall, officials announced the launch of the “Eighth Chinese Language Training Program for Nepali Tourism Entrepreneurs,” aimed at strengthening tourism and cultural relations between Nepal and China and promoting Nepal’s tourism sector.

The six-month training program will be conducted jointly by the Nepal Tourism Board, the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, and the Nepal–China Cultural and Educational Council.

Around 80 tourism entrepreneurs and government employees will participate in the course. Classes will run from 5 PM to 7 PM starting from May 11 (Monday).

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mukunda Prasad Niraula, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board Hikmat Singh Ayer, Director General of the Department of Tourism Ram Krishna Lamichhane, President of the Nepal–China Cultural and Educational Council Harish Chandra Sah, Director of the Chinese Cultural Center Liu Zhanping, along with other officials and representatives from the tourism sector.

Addressing the event, Secretary Niraula expressed confidence that the language training program would further strengthen Nepal–China relations.

He said language is not only a medium of expression but also a bridge between cultures and people, adding that knowledge of Chinese would help Nepal connect with the world’s largest tourism market.

“I warmly invite our Chinese friends to visit Nepal,” he said, adding that language plays a crucial role in expanding tourism and promoting international relations.

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming said Nepal is a country rich in natural and cultural heritage and has become a preferred destination for Chinese tourists.

Noting that more than 11,000 Chinese tourists visited Nepal in April alone, he said heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley, Lumbini, and Himalayan trekking routes continue to attract Chinese visitors.

“The Chinese language training program has become an important platform for people-to-people exchanges between China and Nepal,” he said, adding that it will help present Nepal’s culture, lifestyle, and heritage stories more effectively to Chinese tourists in the future.

Hikmat Singh Ayer, Acting Chief Executive of the Nepal Tourism Board, expressed confidence that Chinese language training will help make tourism human resources more professionally capable.

He noted that China is an important tourism partner for Nepal, adding that knowledge of the Chinese language creates new opportunities in tourism services and hospitality.

“Language removes cultural barriers and opens doors of opportunity,” he said. “This training will further strengthen people-to-people relations between Nepal and China and play an important role in promoting tourism.”

Hari Chandra Sah, President of the Nepal–China Cultural and Educational Council, shared that since its launch in 2016, more than 280 tourism entrepreneurs have received Chinese language training through this program by its eighth edition.

He said the training has not only supported tourism industry development but also strengthened friendship between the two countries.

“This program is not only about teaching language but also about building a bridge of exchange and friendship between Nepal and China,” he said. “Proficiency in Chinese is becoming an essential skill for Nepali tourism entrepreneurs.”

During the training period, participants will receive instruction ranging from basic Chinese language skills to practical applications such as tourist guidance, communication, and real-life usage in the tourism sector.