Contours of Nepal-China Relations: A People-Centered Perspective

China's rise has sparked intense debate around the world, particularly over its growing influence in neighboring countries such as Nepal. As a Himalayan country interspersed between two major powers, Nepal's relationship with China is strategic and multifaceted. While existing literature focuses primarily on China's increased aid and investment in Nepal, more research is needed to determine how China's presence affects Nepali citizens' daily lives. This study takes an ontological approach, viewing the reality of Nepal-China relations as a dynamic and evolving process influenced by historical, geographical, cultural, economic, linguistic variables. The research is epistemologically based on constructivism, with an emphasis on Nepali people's subjective experiences and perceptions of Chinese influences. The axiological perspective acknowledges the value-laden nature of this inquiry, as well as the potential biases and ethical considerations that come with studying cross-cultural interactions. The study's goal is to investigate the impact of Chinese food, language, economy, and culture in Nepal, providing a comprehensive understanding of what China means to Nepal today. This study not only adds to the academic discourse on Nepal-China relations, but it also sheds light on the broader implications of China's rise for smaller countries in the region. Methodologically, this study takes a qualitative data collection techniques to provide a thorough analysis.