In advancing the Belt and Road Initiative, the Sino-Nepal border Kyirong Economic Cooperation Zone has entered a comprehensive construction phase, and cross-border workers have gradually become a significant force driving regional economic growth. This article aims to explore the current state of social integration among cross-border laborers in the Kyirong Border Economic Cooperation Zone and the factors influencing it. Through in-depth interviews and questionnaire surveys of Nepalese workers in the zone, a substantial amount of firsthand data was collected, employing both qualitative and quantitative research methods for analysis. The findings of this research indicate that cross-border workers encounter a range of challenges related to language barriers, lifestyle differences, and legal regulations. However, these workers also demonstrate positive outcomes in terms of economic engagement and cross-cultural adaptation. Key factors influencing the social integration of cross-border workers include policy support, social services, and cultural identity. Furthermore, this article offers several recommendations aimed at enhancing the social integration of cross-border workers, such as reinforcing policy guidance and support, optimizing the social service framework, and fostering cultural exchanges and mutual understanding. The implications of this research are significant for facilitating the effective integration of cross-border workers into local communities, promoting sustainable development in border regions, and contributing to the establishment of a neighborhood community with a shared future.

Keywords: Cross-border economic cooperation zone; cross-border labor; social integration; neighborhood community with a shared future