China's priorities in Nepal
Yuba Nath Lamsal
On the eve of 90th anniversary of founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), to which China has attached greater importance, Beijing sent a senior official at the foreign ministry to take up diplomatic task in the Himalayan republic. This may be a mere coincidence but it carries a special meaning and significance in the bilateral relations between Nepal and China. Yang Houlan, the new ambassador of the People\'s Republic of China, assumed diplomatic responsibility in Nepal on June 20 when he presented his credentials to President Dr Ram Baran Yadav. Since then he has kept himself busy in flurry of diplomatic activities including meeting and interaction with different stakeholders. As a new ambassador of an immediate neighbour of Nepal, the meeting and interaction with leaders and officials is normal as they are aimed at getting familiar with the political and diplomatic circle of Nepal and also getting a feel of ongoing developments in Nepal. Yang\'s appointment as a new ambassador has been viewed with much significance and curiosity in Nepal\'s political and diplomatic circle. It did stir curiosity mainly because of two things. One is early withdrawal of Yang\'s predecessor and the other one is Yang\'s background and credential. The newly appointed ambassador is, perhaps, the senior most diplomat ever sent to Nepal since Nepal and China established diplomatic relations. More than that the educational background, past tract records and diplomatic experiences and acumen Yang possesses are the subject of concern and curiosity to many China watchers in Nepal. Yang\'s appointment gives a clear message that China accords greater importance to the relations with Nepal. Ambassador Yang holds an advanced degree from American University and speaks fluent English. For a diplomat, fluency in languages spoken in the international level is very important. English has now become a lingua franca in the diplomatic circle everywhere in the world. Although diplomacy and language are two different things and person having good diplomatic acumen can handle things, skill in multiple languages especially well verse in an internationally spoken language makes job of diplomats easier. In the sphere of modern day diplomacy, fluency in international language other than the native ones and good knowledge in the local language of the host country are considered additional strength and qualification of diplomats. Ambassador Yang speaks English fluently which is an additional feather in his hat which is why he is expected to handle things differently and more appropriately than his predecessors. The earlier Chinese ambassadors did not speak English fluently, which made them dependent on interpreters for communication with foreigners. But Yang can communicate directly so that there would not be language barrier for him. Secondly, he has expertise and knowledge of diplomatic nuances as he already served in countries which are strategically and diplomatically vital for China. The sophistication and sensitivity with which he handled affairs of Korean Peninsula, which is strategically vital for China, have proved his diplomatic acumen. The other country where Yang worked as a diplomat is Afghanistan which has drawn global attention at present. Yang has now been sent to Nepal with special responsibility of further strengthening bilateral relations and addressing some of the serious and vital concerns of China in this Himalayan republic. China has its own interests in Nepal, which are natural for an immediate neighbour that shares a long border. As is the case with every country in the world, China\'s first and the foremost concern is its national interest. In the expense of national interests, nothing else can have any meaning and significance. This is a plain truth of diplomacy. But China\'s interests are also linked with Nepal\'s national interests. The first interest of China is its security and Beijing wants to ensure that there would be no threat and danger to its stability and security from Nepal\'s soil. This concern is genuine as some countries are instigating anti-China acidities in the name of the so-called Tibetan exiles. Although Nepal has iterated its one-China policy time and again and vowed not to allow its territory to be used against the interest of China, this has not been translated into action. Nepal Government is unable to completely check anti-China activities for two reasons. Firstly, some political parties maintain double standard as regard for checking anti-China activities. These parties, on the one hand, express their commitment in public not to allow anti-China activities, they, at the time time, hobnob with the countries and forces that are active in destablize China, on the other. This issue is directly linked with China\'s security and territorial integrity and Beijing can never compromise on this issue, which Nepal has to take into account. Nepal is a country with which China has a long border. But Nepal does not manage and regulate its own border. Nepal shares border with China in the north and has a long unregulated border with India. China has border dispute with India and once fought border war in 1962. The border between China and India has not yet been resolved. China is susceptible to India because of its undependable behavior especially with its neighbours. In the case of China, which has already emerged as a global power, certain western powers collaborate with India to instigate anti-China activities through Nepal\'s territory. Nepal-India open border has made the job of these unscrupulous elements, who want to infiltrate into Nepal with the ultimate objective of creating instability in Tibet, easier. This is one of the major concerns of China and Beijing wants Nepal to address this issue with urgency. The other interest of China is trade. China has already emerged as world\'s second largest economy. Its trade has dominated in East Asia, Africa, Europe, America and Latin America. In South Asia, too, China\'s trade with Pakistan and Sri Lanka is huge in volume. Its trade with Bangladesh is also growing rapidly. China is India\'s second largest trading partner. But the volume of trade is low with Nepal despite being so close. China wants to enlarge the volume of trade with Nepal, which would definitely benefit China because its products will find market in Nepal. At the same time, the increased trade with China would benefit Nepal as well. Currently, Nepal is over dependent on India for supplies of goods. As a result, more than 60 per cent of Nepal\'s trade is with India, whereas Nepal\'s volume of trade with China is only about 10 per cent. Even in Nepal\'s own interest, its trade needs to be diversified for which China is interested and forthcoming. Moreover, Nepal is a bridge between China and South Asia and accordingly it should play its role. If Nepal was developed as a transit economy between China and India, we can have a lot of benefits out of it and Nepal\'s strategic value could further go up. Along with trade, economic cooperation is yet another area of China\'s interest. China is a global economic power but its prosperity would be meaningless if poverty, instability and backwardness exist in the next door neighbour. China has realized this and taken it seriously. Poverty is the fertile ground for instability and chaos. If chaotic situation persists in Nepal, it would have its impact in Tibet, which is already a target of some countries that want to create instability in China. Prosperous and stable Nepal is in the interest of China, which Beijing has come to realize. For this, China is willing to cooperate. There are many areas of economic cooperation between Nepal and China. Beijing is willing to assist for infrastructure development in Nepal in general and in areas adjoining Tibet Autonomous regions in particular, which the newly appointed ambassador has already made public through media. Similarly, China is interested to invest in Nepal\'s hydro power and other areas. For this, the initiative should come from Nepal government. Beijing knows well that peace and stability are main prerequisite for increased trade and economic cooperation. China has, thus, laid particular emphasis on peace and stability in Nepal which alone create atmosphere conducive for development and economic cooperation between the two countries. China\'s other prime interest in Nepal and also in the entire South Asia is the SAARC, which is the regional body of eight South Asian countries including Nepal, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan. China has already showed its interest to cooperate with the SAARC. It has acquired observer status along with Japan, Korea and the United States. But China\'s position viz-a-viz other observers is different. China is very much part of South Asia because it shares border with almost all members of the SAARC. Even the members of the SAARC do not have common border with all but China has. For instance, China shares land border with Nepal, Bhutan, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan whereas maritime has linked China with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives. Based on these facts, China should be given full membership of the SAARC and Beijing should also be forthcoming to join the South Asian organization as a full-fledged member. This would be in the interest of both China and South Asia. The SAARC at present is being called as the poor people\'s club and it has not been able to expedite the process for which the organization was created due to fund crunch. Most of the SAARC members are resource strapped countries which cannot make significant monetary contribution to the SAARC. Lack of adequate fund has impeded activities of the SAARC. The only country that is in position to make significant monetary contribution is India. But New Delhi is trying more to squeeze the association rather than strengthening it and bolstering and enlarging its activities. If China joins the SAARC, it would serve as a counterweight to India as well as the organization will be more financially equipped. Against this background, China should be persuaded to join the SAARC as a full member for which South Asian countries including Nepal have to play a meaningful role. We must not forget the fact that the SAARC cannot be complete without the participation of China. These are and should be the interests and concerns of China in Nepal and South Asia. There is a tremendous good will of Nepali people towards China and the people of China. However, the interaction and exchange at the people\'s level are relatively low in volume. Stronger bond at the people\'s level and cultural linkages make the official relations stronger and more sustainable. As a career diplomat, the newly appointed Ambassador of China, Yang Houlan, must be aware of this reality and is expected to pay attention to address these issues with greater urgency.
On the eve of 90th anniversary of founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), to which China has attached greater importance, Beijing sent a senior official at the foreign ministry to take up diplomatic task in the Himalayan republic. This may be a mere coincidence but it carries a special meaning and significance in the bilateral relations between Nepal and China. Yang Houlan, the new ambassador of the People\'s Republic of China, assumed diplomatic responsibility in Nepal on June 20 when he presented his credentials to President Dr Ram Baran Yadav. Since then he has kept himself busy in flurry of diplomatic activities including meeting and interaction with different stakeholders. As a new ambassador of an immediate neighbour of Nepal, the meeting and interaction with leaders and officials is normal as they are aimed at getting familiar with the political and diplomatic circle of Nepal and also getting a feel of ongoing developments in Nepal. Yang\'s appointment as a new ambassador has been viewed with much significance and curiosity in Nepal\'s political and diplomatic circle. It did stir curiosity mainly because of two things. One is early withdrawal of Yang\'s predecessor and the other one is Yang\'s background and credential. The newly appointed ambassador is, perhaps, the senior most diplomat ever sent to Nepal since Nepal and China established diplomatic relations. More than that the educational background, past tract records and diplomatic experiences and acumen Yang possesses are the subject of concern and curiosity to many China watchers in Nepal. Yang\'s appointment gives a clear message that China accords greater importance to the relations with Nepal. Ambassador Yang holds an advanced degree from American University and speaks fluent English. For a diplomat, fluency in languages spoken in the international level is very important. English has now become a lingua franca in the diplomatic circle everywhere in the world. Although diplomacy and language are two different things and person having good diplomatic acumen can handle things, skill in multiple languages especially well verse in an internationally spoken language makes job of diplomats easier. In the sphere of modern day diplomacy, fluency in international language other than the native ones and good knowledge in the local language of the host country are considered additional strength and qualification of diplomats. Ambassador Yang speaks English fluently which is an additional feather in his hat which is why he is expected to handle things differently and more appropriately than his predecessors. The earlier Chinese ambassadors did not speak English fluently, which made them dependent on interpreters for communication with foreigners. But Yang can communicate directly so that there would not be language barrier for him. Secondly, he has expertise and knowledge of diplomatic nuances as he already served in countries which are strategically and diplomatically vital for China. The sophistication and sensitivity with which he handled affairs of Korean Peninsula, which is strategically vital for China, have proved his diplomatic acumen. The other country where Yang worked as a diplomat is Afghanistan which has drawn global attention at present. Yang has now been sent to Nepal with special responsibility of further strengthening bilateral relations and addressing some of the serious and vital concerns of China in this Himalayan republic. China has its own interests in Nepal, which are natural for an immediate neighbour that shares a long border. As is the case with every country in the world, China\'s first and the foremost concern is its national interest. In the expense of national interests, nothing else can have any meaning and significance. This is a plain truth of diplomacy. But China\'s interests are also linked with Nepal\'s national interests. The first interest of China is its security and Beijing wants to ensure that there would be no threat and danger to its stability and security from Nepal\'s soil. This concern is genuine as some countries are instigating anti-China acidities in the name of the so-called Tibetan exiles. Although Nepal has iterated its one-China policy time and again and vowed not to allow its territory to be used against the interest of China, this has not been translated into action. Nepal Government is unable to completely check anti-China activities for two reasons. Firstly, some political parties maintain double standard as regard for checking anti-China activities. These parties, on the one hand, express their commitment in public not to allow anti-China activities, they, at the time time, hobnob with the countries and forces that are active in destablize China, on the other. This issue is directly linked with China\'s security and territorial integrity and Beijing can never compromise on this issue, which Nepal has to take into account. Nepal is a country with which China has a long border. But Nepal does not manage and regulate its own border. Nepal shares border with China in the north and has a long unregulated border with India. China has border dispute with India and once fought border war in 1962. The border between China and India has not yet been resolved. China is susceptible to India because of its undependable behavior especially with its neighbours. In the case of China, which has already emerged as a global power, certain western powers collaborate with India to instigate anti-China activities through Nepal\'s territory. Nepal-India open border has made the job of these unscrupulous elements, who want to infiltrate into Nepal with the ultimate objective of creating instability in Tibet, easier. This is one of the major concerns of China and Beijing wants Nepal to address this issue with urgency. The other interest of China is trade. China has already emerged as world\'s second largest economy. Its trade has dominated in East Asia, Africa, Europe, America and Latin America. In South Asia, too, China\'s trade with Pakistan and Sri Lanka is huge in volume. Its trade with Bangladesh is also growing rapidly. China is India\'s second largest trading partner. But the volume of trade is low with Nepal despite being so close. China wants to enlarge the volume of trade with Nepal, which would definitely benefit China because its products will find market in Nepal. At the same time, the increased trade with China would benefit Nepal as well. Currently, Nepal is over dependent on India for supplies of goods. As a result, more than 60 per cent of Nepal\'s trade is with India, whereas Nepal\'s volume of trade with China is only about 10 per cent. Even in Nepal\'s own interest, its trade needs to be diversified for which China is interested and forthcoming. Moreover, Nepal is a bridge between China and South Asia and accordingly it should play its role. If Nepal was developed as a transit economy between China and India, we can have a lot of benefits out of it and Nepal\'s strategic value could further go up. Along with trade, economic cooperation is yet another area of China\'s interest. China is a global economic power but its prosperity would be meaningless if poverty, instability and backwardness exist in the next door neighbour. China has realized this and taken it seriously. Poverty is the fertile ground for instability and chaos. If chaotic situation persists in Nepal, it would have its impact in Tibet, which is already a target of some countries that want to create instability in China. Prosperous and stable Nepal is in the interest of China, which Beijing has come to realize. For this, China is willing to cooperate. There are many areas of economic cooperation between Nepal and China. Beijing is willing to assist for infrastructure development in Nepal in general and in areas adjoining Tibet Autonomous regions in particular, which the newly appointed ambassador has already made public through media. Similarly, China is interested to invest in Nepal\'s hydro power and other areas. For this, the initiative should come from Nepal government. Beijing knows well that peace and stability are main prerequisite for increased trade and economic cooperation. China has, thus, laid particular emphasis on peace and stability in Nepal which alone create atmosphere conducive for development and economic cooperation between the two countries. China\'s other prime interest in Nepal and also in the entire South Asia is the SAARC, which is the regional body of eight South Asian countries including Nepal, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan. China has already showed its interest to cooperate with the SAARC. It has acquired observer status along with Japan, Korea and the United States. But China\'s position viz-a-viz other observers is different. China is very much part of South Asia because it shares border with almost all members of the SAARC. Even the members of the SAARC do not have common border with all but China has. For instance, China shares land border with Nepal, Bhutan, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan whereas maritime has linked China with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives. Based on these facts, China should be given full membership of the SAARC and Beijing should also be forthcoming to join the South Asian organization as a full-fledged member. This would be in the interest of both China and South Asia. The SAARC at present is being called as the poor people\'s club and it has not been able to expedite the process for which the organization was created due to fund crunch. Most of the SAARC members are resource strapped countries which cannot make significant monetary contribution to the SAARC. Lack of adequate fund has impeded activities of the SAARC. The only country that is in position to make significant monetary contribution is India. But New Delhi is trying more to squeeze the association rather than strengthening it and bolstering and enlarging its activities. If China joins the SAARC, it would serve as a counterweight to India as well as the organization will be more financially equipped. Against this background, China should be persuaded to join the SAARC as a full member for which South Asian countries including Nepal have to play a meaningful role. We must not forget the fact that the SAARC cannot be complete without the participation of China. These are and should be the interests and concerns of China in Nepal and South Asia. There is a tremendous good will of Nepali people towards China and the people of China. However, the interaction and exchange at the people\'s level are relatively low in volume. Stronger bond at the people\'s level and cultural linkages make the official relations stronger and more sustainable. As a career diplomat, the newly appointed Ambassador of China, Yang Houlan, must be aware of this reality and is expected to pay attention to address these issues with greater urgency.
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