A seminar and a glimpse into China's development vision

Kreeti Khatiwada

Last month, I was in China for a three-week visit.

It was more than just an excursion, as it included my participation in a seminar organized by Jiangxi Vocational College of Foreign Studies (JXVCFS).

The Seminar for Senior Financial Management Personnel from Belt and Road Countries was an enriching experience for me. As the sole representative from Nepal’s private sector, it was truly an honor.

Affiliated with the Jiangxi Provincial Department of Commerce, JXVCFS is no ordinary institution. Regarded among the Top 50 Most Internationally Influential Vocational Colleges in China, JXVCFS has played a crucial role in shaping the global business and governance landscape. It stands at the intersection of education, diplomacy, and development, and boasts titles such as National Superior Quality Higher Vocational College and Training Base for International Business Officials. The college is considered a symbol of China’s commitment to people-to-people exchanges and to promoting mutual understanding under the broader vision of the Belt and Road Initiative.

More than 4,200 foreign officials from 126 countries have been trained here through 164 foreign aid training projects, all supported by the Ministry of Commerce.

The program brought together 20 participants from countries including the Bahamas, Burkina Faso, Mongolia, Jordan, Uganda, Eritrea, Timor-Leste, Ethiopia, and of course, Nepal.

Getting the chance to deliver a speech on behalf of all participants was definitely a personal highlight. It was both humbling and empowering to represent Nepal, and it was also a privilege to be the voice of the private sector among a group of public and financial professionals from across continents.

China’s remarkable hospitality, spirit of openness, and keenness to share its development journey with the rest of the world genuinely stood out throughout the seminar from April 17 to May 5.

The program was structured in such a way — combining theory with visits — that it showcased real-world applications of policy and innovation.

It was indeed a valuable learning experience for me, as it gave me a chance to have a closer look at China’s strategic vision, innovation, and international cooperation.

A visit to Chongqing Business Vocational School — a futuristic institution that is quite literally shaping tomorrow — was definitely one of the most unforgettable experiences. Drones lifting over 1,000 kilograms to deliver goods to remote areas felt like stepping into the future. It was inspiring to gain firsthand knowledge of how technological innovation is integrated into everyday life.

During our stay, we were also given a tour of Yonyou, China’s leading Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software and digital intelligence service provider. Serving more than 8 million companies across private, government, and statistical sectors is no mean feat, and Yonyou stands out for setting an outstanding example of how innovation, data, and digital ecosystems are used to create smarter societies. Their model of intelligent management reflects China’s forward-thinking vision and the way private enterprise is aligned with national goals.

It was impressive to see smooth collaboration between the government and private sector. There is clear coordination and a shared vision to push innovation, especially in key areas like agriculture. The government’s focus on policy reform, strategic investment, and innovation-driven growth left a strong impression on me.

Beyond technology and finance, the program was also a gateway to understanding China’s soul. Visits to the Jinggangshan Revolutionary Monument and the Mint Factory offered insights into the preservation of history and the pride that the Chinese people take in their past. China’s development story is deeply rooted in its history and collective memory.

A visit to a well-developed village area helped us understand the practical impact of China’s rural revitalization programs. The Chinese Communist Party’s commitment to rural transformation and grassroots responsibility was evident in the cleanliness, infrastructure, and quality of life.

What also struck me deeply was how China is not only providing a world-class learning platform for global professionals but also how seriously it takes the application of that knowledge. Each year, many senior officials and leaders from across the world visit China to learn—but what would truly be transformational is if we could apply that learning practically in our own countries.

China’s journey is a testament to how independence, visionary planning, and unified national effort can change the course of a country. Their ability to set long-term goals, (re)adjust policies, and work in tandem across sectors is truly inspiring. It made me think more deeply about how we in Nepal and other developing nations can adopt models, tailored to local needs, to bring meaningful and lasting change.

I sincerely thank the Ministry of Commerce of China, Jiangxi Vocational College of Foreign Studies (JXVCFS), the Embassy of China in Nepal, and the Nepal-China Friendship Forum for making this journey possible.

The visit was such a wonderful opportunity that, as I return home, I carry with me not just many good memories but also an expanded worldview that strengthens my belief in cross-border collaboration. Learning from a country that connects its past with the future—and from a college preparing tomorrow’s global leaders—was truly enriching.