China's Goodwill For Nepal
Yuba Nath Lamsal
A 60-member high level delegation headed by special envoy of Chinese
President Hu Jintao returned to Beijing last week after wrapping up a
three-day good will visit to Nepal. The visit took place at a time when
Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal had stepped down and a new process for the
election of prime minister had begun. The visit of Chinese delegation led by
Zhou Yongkang, Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the
Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and also secretary of the
Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, had
been worked out long ago through diplomatic channels of both the countries.
However, the timing of the visit had given rise to speculations in the media
and political circle of Nepal. Some even linked the visit of the Chinese
team with the process of government formation in Nepal.
A day before the Chinese team was to embark on Nepal visit, Prime Minister
Khanal suddenly stepped down. In the eleventh hour, the Chinese government
did not feel appropriate to postpone the visit. Had the visit been
postponed, it would have given different meaning which may not be in the
interest of the bilateral relations. Thus, the delegation went ahead with
its prior schedule. And the delegation had nothing to do with the newly
emerged political developments in Nepal.
The visit of Chinese team was aimed at further cementing bilateral relations
and probing new areas of cooperation between the two close neighbours. Given
the close proximity and fine tract record of their bilateral relations, it
would not be wise to raise any question on the motive and intent of the
Chinese team. But the size of the delegation and high profile of the team
members have definitely given special meaning and impression in the
intellectual circle of Nepal that China attaches greater importance to the
relations with Nepal in the changed national and international situation.
China does not have any favourite political force in Nepal. Beijing treats
and respects all political parties and forces of Nepal in equal terms and
manner. What has concerned China is the increased and intensified
interference and meddling in Nepal by some external forces. Past experiences
have shown that external forces and powers played active role even in the
process of formation of the government in Nepal. Even now when the process
of formation of the new government has begun, some external forces have
become extra active to ensure that a particular candidate and political
party or parties command the rein of government in Nepal. It is the business
of Nepali people and parties to decide the nature and character of the
government but not of the foreigners. Unfortunately, it has happened in
Nepal which is definitely a matter of concern for a genuine neighbour like
China.
In the present globalized context when the world has been reduced to a
narrow small global village, the events and developments in one country have
impact on other countries. The developments that unfold in Nepal have their
repercussion and ramification on other countries particularly our immediate
neighbor-China and India. In such a situation, the concerns of a neighbor
can well be justified. As long as the matter remains within the diplomatic
limit, it may be called a neighbourly concern. If any country crosses the
diplomatic boundary and tries to interfere in the internal affairs of other
country, it would not be tolerable to the citizens of any country as well as
for other neighbouring countries. However, China, so far, has kept itself
away from the internal problem and politics of Nepal. But it has given a
loud and clear message that Beijing would never tolerate if sovereignty and
territorial integrity of its neighbor like Nepal comes under threat. This is
a warning to those forces and elements which are trying to meddle in Nepal's
internal affairs and politics.
China has its long-cherished foreign policy objective. China's foreign
policy is based on Five Principle of Peaceful Co-existence or 'panchaseel',
which includes non aggression and non interference in other countries,
respect to sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries in the
world. Nepal, too, adheres to the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence
which are the cardinal tenets of non-aligned movement. In principle, Nepal
strictly maintains non-alignment and friendly relations with all countries
in the world. This is a policy of Nepal right from the Panchayat era which
was given continuity after 1990 political change and also in the present
republican Nepal.
In the case with Nepal, China has strictly adhered to this foreign policy
goal and wants good neighbourly relations. China knows well that instability
and insecurity will have its fallout in its own territories which share
border with Nepal. China has made tremendous progress in economic front and
wants similar level of progress and development in its neighbourhood as
well. Guided by this noble idea, China is more forthcoming to invest and
help Nepal. Beijing has thus shown interests to invest and cooperate in
Nepal's infrastructure, energy, communication and tourism sector of Nepal,
which would ultimately contribute to lifting the people of Nepal out of
poverty and backwardness.
This message was conveyed by the Chinese leaders during the recent visit to
Kathmandu. However, Nepal seems not to have taken up this issue with more
seriousness. Currently Nepal is heavily preoccupied with its own internal
problem. As a result, not much attention seems to have been given to the
foreign policy and international relation. The intention of China to help
Nepal in a huge way is a big opportunity for Nepal. Nepal, currently, is
suffering from acute power crunch. China has shown interest in investing in
Nepal's water resource and hydro-power development. China has money,
expertise, capability and experiences in hydro-power development in the
difficult terrain like that of Nepal. If we are able to win trust of China,
we can bring a huge Chinese investment and develop some mega hydro-power
project through which Nepal not only can be self-sufficient in energy but
also can earn huge foreign currency by exporting surplus electricity. Nepal
has the potentials of producing more than 80,000 megawatt hydroelectricity.
South Asia is suffering from power deficit and other countries of the region
including India may be willing to buy Nepal's electricity. This would also
help meet the growing power demand in India and other South Asian countries
which would be beneficial for both Nepal and other countries in the region.
But Nepal does not have specific China policy to win the trust of Beijing.
Although not spelt specifically, there has been deficit of trust due mainly
to Nepal's wavering foreign policy priority and unnecessary tilt to a
particular country. Nepal considers as a neighbor like any other countries
in Asia. In fact, this is not an appropriate foreign policy priority of
Nepal. China and India our two immediate neighbours with which Nepal shares
border, history, culture, religion and long legacy of trade and friendship.
These two countries should occupy special priority and place in our foreign
policy formulation. China is more important especially when it comes to
Nepal's survival strategy. China has never been a security problem of Nepal.
Instead there are instances that China has come to Nepal's rescue in some
difficult period. Moreover, Nepal's relationship with China is as old as our
ancient civilization. Thus, China is and should be an important country for
Nepal from which we can learn and benefit a lot.
China has its own priority and interest in Nepal. But it in no way wants to
interfere in Nepal's internal affairs. It wants to be a partner of Nepal's
development efforts. Beijing wants stability, peace and prosperity in Nepal,
for which China is always ready to extend meaningful and constructive
cooperation. This message has been expressed by Chinese leaders and
officials on different forums and different occasions. The head of the
high-level delegation that recently concluded its visit to Nepal, too, spelt
out this message with more clarity.
China has security interest in Nepal. It does not want Nepal to be an
unstable country, which would also have its fallout in its own
territory-Tibet. China knows well that some elements and forces are active
to create instability in Nepal and ultimately take advantage of Nepal's
instability to instigate trouble in Tibet. China is, therefore, cautious to
ensure that such a situation may not occur in Nepal. It is with this motive
Nepal and China have recently signed a deal on security sector
strengthening.
In addition to this, China is a global economic power. Its success in
economic growth and development is stunning. As a global economic
powerhouse, China wants to expand its trade in South Asia for which Nepal is
an important gateway. It is for this reason as well, China has accorded more
priority to the relations with Nepal.
China is, thus, more open and interested for increased economic cooperation
with Nepal. This is an important opportunity for Nepal which must be
properly and wisely utilized and exploited for the greater interest of
Nepal. Now gone are the days when Nepal had to be over dependent on a
particular country. The modern technology has smashed the geographical
barrier and Nepal should be able to take maximum benefit from China's
development and its willingness to cooperate with its neighbor.
A 60-member high level delegation headed by special envoy of Chinese
President Hu Jintao returned to Beijing last week after wrapping up a
three-day good will visit to Nepal. The visit took place at a time when
Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal had stepped down and a new process for the
election of prime minister had begun. The visit of Chinese delegation led by
Zhou Yongkang, Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the
Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and also secretary of the
Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, had
been worked out long ago through diplomatic channels of both the countries.
However, the timing of the visit had given rise to speculations in the media
and political circle of Nepal. Some even linked the visit of the Chinese
team with the process of government formation in Nepal.
A day before the Chinese team was to embark on Nepal visit, Prime Minister
Khanal suddenly stepped down. In the eleventh hour, the Chinese government
did not feel appropriate to postpone the visit. Had the visit been
postponed, it would have given different meaning which may not be in the
interest of the bilateral relations. Thus, the delegation went ahead with
its prior schedule. And the delegation had nothing to do with the newly
emerged political developments in Nepal.
The visit of Chinese team was aimed at further cementing bilateral relations
and probing new areas of cooperation between the two close neighbours. Given
the close proximity and fine tract record of their bilateral relations, it
would not be wise to raise any question on the motive and intent of the
Chinese team. But the size of the delegation and high profile of the team
members have definitely given special meaning and impression in the
intellectual circle of Nepal that China attaches greater importance to the
relations with Nepal in the changed national and international situation.
China does not have any favourite political force in Nepal. Beijing treats
and respects all political parties and forces of Nepal in equal terms and
manner. What has concerned China is the increased and intensified
interference and meddling in Nepal by some external forces. Past experiences
have shown that external forces and powers played active role even in the
process of formation of the government in Nepal. Even now when the process
of formation of the new government has begun, some external forces have
become extra active to ensure that a particular candidate and political
party or parties command the rein of government in Nepal. It is the business
of Nepali people and parties to decide the nature and character of the
government but not of the foreigners. Unfortunately, it has happened in
Nepal which is definitely a matter of concern for a genuine neighbour like
China.
In the present globalized context when the world has been reduced to a
narrow small global village, the events and developments in one country have
impact on other countries. The developments that unfold in Nepal have their
repercussion and ramification on other countries particularly our immediate
neighbor-China and India. In such a situation, the concerns of a neighbor
can well be justified. As long as the matter remains within the diplomatic
limit, it may be called a neighbourly concern. If any country crosses the
diplomatic boundary and tries to interfere in the internal affairs of other
country, it would not be tolerable to the citizens of any country as well as
for other neighbouring countries. However, China, so far, has kept itself
away from the internal problem and politics of Nepal. But it has given a
loud and clear message that Beijing would never tolerate if sovereignty and
territorial integrity of its neighbor like Nepal comes under threat. This is
a warning to those forces and elements which are trying to meddle in Nepal's
internal affairs and politics.
China has its long-cherished foreign policy objective. China's foreign
policy is based on Five Principle of Peaceful Co-existence or 'panchaseel',
which includes non aggression and non interference in other countries,
respect to sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries in the
world. Nepal, too, adheres to the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence
which are the cardinal tenets of non-aligned movement. In principle, Nepal
strictly maintains non-alignment and friendly relations with all countries
in the world. This is a policy of Nepal right from the Panchayat era which
was given continuity after 1990 political change and also in the present
republican Nepal.
In the case with Nepal, China has strictly adhered to this foreign policy
goal and wants good neighbourly relations. China knows well that instability
and insecurity will have its fallout in its own territories which share
border with Nepal. China has made tremendous progress in economic front and
wants similar level of progress and development in its neighbourhood as
well. Guided by this noble idea, China is more forthcoming to invest and
help Nepal. Beijing has thus shown interests to invest and cooperate in
Nepal's infrastructure, energy, communication and tourism sector of Nepal,
which would ultimately contribute to lifting the people of Nepal out of
poverty and backwardness.
This message was conveyed by the Chinese leaders during the recent visit to
Kathmandu. However, Nepal seems not to have taken up this issue with more
seriousness. Currently Nepal is heavily preoccupied with its own internal
problem. As a result, not much attention seems to have been given to the
foreign policy and international relation. The intention of China to help
Nepal in a huge way is a big opportunity for Nepal. Nepal, currently, is
suffering from acute power crunch. China has shown interest in investing in
Nepal's water resource and hydro-power development. China has money,
expertise, capability and experiences in hydro-power development in the
difficult terrain like that of Nepal. If we are able to win trust of China,
we can bring a huge Chinese investment and develop some mega hydro-power
project through which Nepal not only can be self-sufficient in energy but
also can earn huge foreign currency by exporting surplus electricity. Nepal
has the potentials of producing more than 80,000 megawatt hydroelectricity.
South Asia is suffering from power deficit and other countries of the region
including India may be willing to buy Nepal's electricity. This would also
help meet the growing power demand in India and other South Asian countries
which would be beneficial for both Nepal and other countries in the region.
But Nepal does not have specific China policy to win the trust of Beijing.
Although not spelt specifically, there has been deficit of trust due mainly
to Nepal's wavering foreign policy priority and unnecessary tilt to a
particular country. Nepal considers as a neighbor like any other countries
in Asia. In fact, this is not an appropriate foreign policy priority of
Nepal. China and India our two immediate neighbours with which Nepal shares
border, history, culture, religion and long legacy of trade and friendship.
These two countries should occupy special priority and place in our foreign
policy formulation. China is more important especially when it comes to
Nepal's survival strategy. China has never been a security problem of Nepal.
Instead there are instances that China has come to Nepal's rescue in some
difficult period. Moreover, Nepal's relationship with China is as old as our
ancient civilization. Thus, China is and should be an important country for
Nepal from which we can learn and benefit a lot.
China has its own priority and interest in Nepal. But it in no way wants to
interfere in Nepal's internal affairs. It wants to be a partner of Nepal's
development efforts. Beijing wants stability, peace and prosperity in Nepal,
for which China is always ready to extend meaningful and constructive
cooperation. This message has been expressed by Chinese leaders and
officials on different forums and different occasions. The head of the
high-level delegation that recently concluded its visit to Nepal, too, spelt
out this message with more clarity.
China has security interest in Nepal. It does not want Nepal to be an
unstable country, which would also have its fallout in its own
territory-Tibet. China knows well that some elements and forces are active
to create instability in Nepal and ultimately take advantage of Nepal's
instability to instigate trouble in Tibet. China is, therefore, cautious to
ensure that such a situation may not occur in Nepal. It is with this motive
Nepal and China have recently signed a deal on security sector
strengthening.
In addition to this, China is a global economic power. Its success in
economic growth and development is stunning. As a global economic
powerhouse, China wants to expand its trade in South Asia for which Nepal is
an important gateway. It is for this reason as well, China has accorded more
priority to the relations with Nepal.
China is, thus, more open and interested for increased economic cooperation
with Nepal. This is an important opportunity for Nepal which must be
properly and wisely utilized and exploited for the greater interest of
Nepal. Now gone are the days when Nepal had to be over dependent on a
particular country. The modern technology has smashed the geographical
barrier and Nepal should be able to take maximum benefit from China's
development and its willingness to cooperate with its neighbor.
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