China’s goodwill for Nepal’s stability
Yuba Nath Lamsal
A 21-member Chinese delegation paid a six-day goodwill visit to Nepal. The delegation was led by He Young, secretary of the Communist Party of China, which met and exchanged views on various matters with leaders and officials of Nepal that included President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and leaders of different political parties. This is the first high-level delegation from China since Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji visited Nepal in 2001. He Young holds the status of deputy prime minister.
The Chinese delegation came here not on its own but at the invitation of the Nepal’s three major political parties namely the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) or UCPN-Maoist. This is a testimony that the government of China and the Communist Party of China attach greater importance to friendly, cordial and cooperative relations with Nepal and Nepal’s political parties.
At a time when Nepal is passing through a difficult time, Chinese goodwill could be supportive and helpful in resolving Nepal’s political deadlock. China always wants political stability, peace and prosperity in Nepal, which Beijing has made it clear in various occasions and forums. The assistance of China has been without any string attached. The relationship between Nepal and China are also characterized by goodwill and mutual cooperation. The very bases of Nepal-China relations are the five principles of peaceful co-existence, which are also the cardinal principles of non-aligned movement.
The high-level Chinese delegation was in Kathmandu to express solidarity with the Nepalese people and Nepalese political parties in their endeavors for peace, stability and development. Unlike India and other countries, China has demonstrated highly diplomatic and friendly posture with Nepal. China has been able to give a strong message that Beijing is always there to help Nepal and Nepali people whenever it is needed.
The Chinese delegation gave a strong message that would not tolerate any kind of external interference in Nepal. This warning has come at a time when some external forces including our southern neighbour India and western countries are poking nose and trying to intervene in Nepal’s internal affairs. “ China believes that Nepal and Nepali political parties are capable enough to solve their problems by themselves and any kind of external pressure and intervention would not be tolerated by China” said the delegation chief during the meeting with the Nepali leaders and officials. China respects Nepal’s sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity and it expects reciprocity from other countries, as well. In Nepal’s case, China has been consistent on its stance, which can be clear from the remarks of the chief of the delegation. The Chief of the Chinese delegation said, “China does not interfere in Nepal’s internal affairs and we expect that other countries, too, do the same in Nepal.” This is a strong and clear message and warning against any kind of interference from any quarters in the international affairs of Nepal.
This is the first time that Beijing has come up with such strong worded views on Nepal’s political affairs. In the past China tried to keep away from making any remarks on Nepal’s and other neighbour’s internal politics. Recently, there has been a shift in China's foreign policy. Being the closest neighbour that shares common border, Beijing’s interest can well be understood in Nepal. China’s interest in Nepal is guided by its own security concerns and Nepal stability and development. China’s increased security concern in Nepal is because of some anti-China activities that take place on various occasions in the name of ‘Free Tibet’. Tibet is the indisputably a part of China but some western powers as well as India often instigate some miscreants and hoodlums to destabilize China. Although Nepal has adopted ‘One China policy’ and vowed not to allow its territory to be used for any activities that harm the interest and security of China, some criminals are using Nepal’s territory against China. Such activities increase at the time of political instability and transition in Nepal. This is the subject of major concern for China. Beijing, therefore, wants a stable and strong government in Nepal so that it can firmly act and check the anti-China activities. China always believes that deciding the type of political system and government is the sovereign right of the Nepali people. However, the external meddling and interference that have been so visible in Nepal at present especially on issues concerning the formation of the government and management of the Maoist combatants are also a matter of serious concern for China. The developments and events unfolding in its immediate neighbours are definitely a matter of serious concern for any country in the world and more so for a global power. China wants Nepali parties and people to decide independently on these issues. The ways some countries more particularly India are brazenly interfering in the internal affairs of Nepal , which is its next-door neighbour, should by no means be acceptable and tolerable for a global power like China. The high-level Chinese delegation and its views can clearly be summed up as Beijing’s increased interest in Nepal.
China has already emerged as the second largest economy in the world and it has realized its international obligation. With its growing economic might, China is trying to build its image in the international arena as a soft power. China has begun to feel its international obligation and accordingly started playing active role in the international affairs. However, China never applies coercive policy but internationally accepted norms of diplomacy to win support of and help others. This is the avowed policy of China.
As a global power, China’s interest is growing globally. Recently, its increased interest in South Asia can be seen more visibly. China has already developed strong partnership with South Asian countries on various sectors and is trying to further strengthen its economic relations and more areas of cooperation. China has friendly and very cordial relationship with all South Asian countries except India. But the relationship between Beijing and New Delhi is also improving and growing gradually. This is natural because China is a country which is located in South Asia as well as in East Asia. In this way, China can be an effective bridge between South Asia and East Asia. China has common land border with five (Nepal, India, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Pakistan) of the eight South Asian countries and maritime border with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Given this situation China’s priority to relations with Nepal is natural because Nepal is not only its neighbour but also a transit country from trade with other South Asian countries mainly India through land route.
All these circumstances are behind China’s concern in Nepal. Moreover, China was forced to show its serious concern in Nepal because of open and naked interference from some external forces. Some people have tended to compare the recent Chinese delegation with India’s Shyam Saran’s mission. But there is a marked difference between Indian and Chinese missions. Shyam Saran’s mission was unsolicited and aimed at interfering in Nepal’s affairs whereas Chinese delegation came at the invitation of Nepal’s three major political parties. Unlike Indian unilateral mission which often tried to impose its decision on Nepal’s parties, Chinese were quite diplomatic and they conveyed their message that Nepali parties were capable to solve their own problems and foreign advice was not needed.
It is the long-cherished principle and policy of the People’s Republic of China not to interfere in the internal matters of other countries, which has always been reflected in relationship with Nepal. China has already been offering constructive support for Nepal’s peace, stability and development. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China’s role in Nepal’s peace process is more meaningful and important. At a time when some elements are trying to spoil China’s relations with Nepal and Nepal’s political parties, the delegation has been able to dispel such apprehensions and create a new ground for more cooperative and cordial relations between the governments, political parties and peoples of Nepal and China. In this way, the visit of Chinese delegation is successful on the part of China and also fruitful and beneficial for Nepal as well. The visit of Chinese delegation has served as a strong message to other countries that any attempt to interfere and create instability in Nepal would not be tolerated by its northern neighbour and Beijing is always willing to come for rescue if there is any kind of threat to Nepal’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. This gesture is guided by friendly and neighbourly spirit of China towards Nepal.
A 21-member Chinese delegation paid a six-day goodwill visit to Nepal. The delegation was led by He Young, secretary of the Communist Party of China, which met and exchanged views on various matters with leaders and officials of Nepal that included President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and leaders of different political parties. This is the first high-level delegation from China since Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji visited Nepal in 2001. He Young holds the status of deputy prime minister.
The Chinese delegation came here not on its own but at the invitation of the Nepal’s three major political parties namely the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) or UCPN-Maoist. This is a testimony that the government of China and the Communist Party of China attach greater importance to friendly, cordial and cooperative relations with Nepal and Nepal’s political parties.
At a time when Nepal is passing through a difficult time, Chinese goodwill could be supportive and helpful in resolving Nepal’s political deadlock. China always wants political stability, peace and prosperity in Nepal, which Beijing has made it clear in various occasions and forums. The assistance of China has been without any string attached. The relationship between Nepal and China are also characterized by goodwill and mutual cooperation. The very bases of Nepal-China relations are the five principles of peaceful co-existence, which are also the cardinal principles of non-aligned movement.
The high-level Chinese delegation was in Kathmandu to express solidarity with the Nepalese people and Nepalese political parties in their endeavors for peace, stability and development. Unlike India and other countries, China has demonstrated highly diplomatic and friendly posture with Nepal. China has been able to give a strong message that Beijing is always there to help Nepal and Nepali people whenever it is needed.
The Chinese delegation gave a strong message that would not tolerate any kind of external interference in Nepal. This warning has come at a time when some external forces including our southern neighbour India and western countries are poking nose and trying to intervene in Nepal’s internal affairs. “ China believes that Nepal and Nepali political parties are capable enough to solve their problems by themselves and any kind of external pressure and intervention would not be tolerated by China” said the delegation chief during the meeting with the Nepali leaders and officials. China respects Nepal’s sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity and it expects reciprocity from other countries, as well. In Nepal’s case, China has been consistent on its stance, which can be clear from the remarks of the chief of the delegation. The Chief of the Chinese delegation said, “China does not interfere in Nepal’s internal affairs and we expect that other countries, too, do the same in Nepal.” This is a strong and clear message and warning against any kind of interference from any quarters in the international affairs of Nepal.
This is the first time that Beijing has come up with such strong worded views on Nepal’s political affairs. In the past China tried to keep away from making any remarks on Nepal’s and other neighbour’s internal politics. Recently, there has been a shift in China's foreign policy. Being the closest neighbour that shares common border, Beijing’s interest can well be understood in Nepal. China’s interest in Nepal is guided by its own security concerns and Nepal stability and development. China’s increased security concern in Nepal is because of some anti-China activities that take place on various occasions in the name of ‘Free Tibet’. Tibet is the indisputably a part of China but some western powers as well as India often instigate some miscreants and hoodlums to destabilize China. Although Nepal has adopted ‘One China policy’ and vowed not to allow its territory to be used for any activities that harm the interest and security of China, some criminals are using Nepal’s territory against China. Such activities increase at the time of political instability and transition in Nepal. This is the subject of major concern for China. Beijing, therefore, wants a stable and strong government in Nepal so that it can firmly act and check the anti-China activities. China always believes that deciding the type of political system and government is the sovereign right of the Nepali people. However, the external meddling and interference that have been so visible in Nepal at present especially on issues concerning the formation of the government and management of the Maoist combatants are also a matter of serious concern for China. The developments and events unfolding in its immediate neighbours are definitely a matter of serious concern for any country in the world and more so for a global power. China wants Nepali parties and people to decide independently on these issues. The ways some countries more particularly India are brazenly interfering in the internal affairs of Nepal , which is its next-door neighbour, should by no means be acceptable and tolerable for a global power like China. The high-level Chinese delegation and its views can clearly be summed up as Beijing’s increased interest in Nepal.
China has already emerged as the second largest economy in the world and it has realized its international obligation. With its growing economic might, China is trying to build its image in the international arena as a soft power. China has begun to feel its international obligation and accordingly started playing active role in the international affairs. However, China never applies coercive policy but internationally accepted norms of diplomacy to win support of and help others. This is the avowed policy of China.
As a global power, China’s interest is growing globally. Recently, its increased interest in South Asia can be seen more visibly. China has already developed strong partnership with South Asian countries on various sectors and is trying to further strengthen its economic relations and more areas of cooperation. China has friendly and very cordial relationship with all South Asian countries except India. But the relationship between Beijing and New Delhi is also improving and growing gradually. This is natural because China is a country which is located in South Asia as well as in East Asia. In this way, China can be an effective bridge between South Asia and East Asia. China has common land border with five (Nepal, India, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Pakistan) of the eight South Asian countries and maritime border with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Given this situation China’s priority to relations with Nepal is natural because Nepal is not only its neighbour but also a transit country from trade with other South Asian countries mainly India through land route.
All these circumstances are behind China’s concern in Nepal. Moreover, China was forced to show its serious concern in Nepal because of open and naked interference from some external forces. Some people have tended to compare the recent Chinese delegation with India’s Shyam Saran’s mission. But there is a marked difference between Indian and Chinese missions. Shyam Saran’s mission was unsolicited and aimed at interfering in Nepal’s affairs whereas Chinese delegation came at the invitation of Nepal’s three major political parties. Unlike Indian unilateral mission which often tried to impose its decision on Nepal’s parties, Chinese were quite diplomatic and they conveyed their message that Nepali parties were capable to solve their own problems and foreign advice was not needed.
It is the long-cherished principle and policy of the People’s Republic of China not to interfere in the internal matters of other countries, which has always been reflected in relationship with Nepal. China has already been offering constructive support for Nepal’s peace, stability and development. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China’s role in Nepal’s peace process is more meaningful and important. At a time when some elements are trying to spoil China’s relations with Nepal and Nepal’s political parties, the delegation has been able to dispel such apprehensions and create a new ground for more cooperative and cordial relations between the governments, political parties and peoples of Nepal and China. In this way, the visit of Chinese delegation is successful on the part of China and also fruitful and beneficial for Nepal as well. The visit of Chinese delegation has served as a strong message to other countries that any attempt to interfere and create instability in Nepal would not be tolerated by its northern neighbour and Beijing is always willing to come for rescue if there is any kind of threat to Nepal’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. This gesture is guided by friendly and neighbourly spirit of China towards Nepal.
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