China's effort to push "Nepal- China Friendly Exchange Year 2012"has been very well received and credited by the people of Nepal.

Following Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's one-day visit to Nepal, it was announced that 2012 would be marked as "Nepal-China Year of Friendly Exchanges."

During Premier Wen's meeting with President of Nepal Ram Baran Yadav and his counterpart Prime Minister Babu Ram Bhattarai, the two sides agreed to promote exchanges and cooperation in the areas of culture and education and between youths, media, think tanks, scholars and friendship groups of the two countries.

The two sides also signed a agreement on cultural cooperation, and agreed to enhance cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two sides, and agreed to give continuity to the process of mutual visits by the artists of the two countries.

With the initiation of the Chinese Embassy to Nepal and supports from various agencies, several cultural programs among others from China have been organized in the Nepali capital Kathmandu.

Popular troupes from China have been performing in Nepal to mark several auspicious occasions.

Talking to Xinhua, Chairman of Nepal-China Journalist Forum and expert on Nepal-China relations Kishor Shrestha said,"China and Nepal have exemplified a very good friendly and diplomatic relations."

Based on Five Principle's of Peaceful Co-existence, China has always maintained itself as a very friendly and cooperative nation and has stretched its supportive hands to Nepal, according to Shrestha.

Shrestha also said that the efforts China is making to mark the Nepal-China Year of Friendly Exchanges is also very appreciative. "Several programs have been organized within the short period along with several commitments from China side which has garnered Nepal a lot of support," Shrestha said, adding that such programs also requires a lot of efforts and investments.

He also mentioned,"data have revealed that the number of Chinese tourists have made a significant increase. Likewise, representatives of an airline company from China also made a commitment that they would bring 100,000 Chinese tourists to Nepal to mark the Lumbini Visit Year 2012. A lot of students are also benefiting from the Chinese scholarship programs. It is all extremely positive on the side of China."

In 2011, there was a 63 percent rise of the arrival of Chinese tourists in comparison to the year before, making the tourism industry busy even during the off season. In the first of 2012 alone, the percentage of Chinese tourists arriving in Nepal rose to a significant 107.

"Even in terms of investments, China's support has been very large and noteworthy. Apart from the regular support, Premier Wen during his visit to Nepal emphasized on increasing the financial support from China. It will be a milestone in the Nepal-China relations," Shrestha said.

Shrestha also opined that it is also up to the Nepal side now to accommodate such initiatives from China side, adding that Nepal should also make efforts from her side as well.

Addressing the one such festival to mark the Chinese New Year of Dragon in Kathmandu on Jan. 20, Nepali Prime Minister Bhattarai had also made remarks stating,"our growing interactions at government-to-government and at people-to-people levels have contributed to further strengthen the bilateral relations in the political, economic and cultural fields."

Likewise, Vice-President of Nepal Parmanandha Jha addressing the inauguration of the ongoing Spring Festival gala in Nepal expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government and several agencies including the Confucius Institute for their effort in enhancing the relations between the two countries. And not only on the government to government level, but such programs also have left a deep mark among the local people.

"The Chinese festivals that are organized in Nepal are always spectacular. The performances are always great and it is a wonderful experience to watch them," said Shrisha Rajbhandari, an audience at the ongoing Spring Gala festival.

For Rajbhandari, who is a student of culture and arts, said that such programs and occasions are not just entertaining her, but also helping her academically.

Nevertheless, a large number of audiences were present to experience China through cultural performances in various different programs that were organized in the Nepali capital.

Ever since the announcement of the Friendly Exchange Year, Nepal has experienced the celebration of Chinese Spring Festival, Tibetan Lhosar and the Spring Festival Gala.