Key Takeaways:
- NMA President Fur Gelje Sherpa led a six-day delegation to China under the China-Nepal Mountaineering and Outdoor Sports Exchange Programme
- Nepal and China discussed cooperation in mountaineering, mountain tourism, outdoor sports, rescue, safety and environmental protection.
- The delegation visited Kangding, Hailuogou and the Gongga Peak region, observing tourism and disaster-management infrastructure
- Both sides explored collaboration on mountain guide training, route development, rescue operations and peak surveys
A delegation of the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), led by President Fur Gelje Sherpa, has concluded a six-day visit to China aimed at strengthening cooperation between Nepal and China in mountaineering and mountain tourism.
The delegation visited Kangding and Hailuogou in Ganzi Prefecture of Sichuan Province from Sept. 18 to 23 at the invitation of the Chinese Mountaineering Association (CMA) as part of the China-Nepal Mountaineering and Outdoor Sports Exchange Programme.
The official NMA team included General Secretary Rajendra Bahadur Lama and Treasurer Sumi Lama. Representatives of Nepal-China friendship forums, tourism entrepreneurs, writers and Nepali students studying in Sichuan also participated in the programme.
During the visit, the two sides held discussions on mountaineering cooperation, mountain tourism, outdoor sports, professional training, high-altitude search and rescue, mountain safety and environmental conservation.
The delegation toured mountain regions around Kangding and Hailuogou, including the area surrounding 7,690-metre Gongga Peak, and observed tourism infrastructure such as roads, tunnels, bridges, cable cars, trekking routes, accommodation facilities and visitor services.
According to the NMA, the delegation also examined river-management and disaster-mitigation infrastructure designed to reduce risks from floods, landslides and river erosion.
Meetings with the Chinese Mountaineering Association, local government officials, leaders of Ganzi Prefecture, and representatives of Sichuan provincial authorities focused on expanding cooperation in mountain tourism and adventure tourism development.
Speaking during the visit, NMA President Fur Gelje Sherpa said Nepal is ready to share its expertise in Himalayan mountaineering, professional mountain guiding and high-altitude rescue operations. He highlighted the NMA's 1,696-hour Professional Mountain Guide Course, which is approved by the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT).
The two mountaineering associations also discussed cooperation in peak surveying, route assessment and establishing climbing routes in suitable mountain areas in coordination with relevant Chinese authorities.
The NMA said the visit opened new opportunities for continued exchanges among mountaineers, mountain guides, rescue professionals, tourism entrepreneurs and youth from both countries, while strengthening collaboration in training, safety, rescue operations, mountain tourism and environmental protection.