Nepal, China share much in common

Yuba Nath Lamsal

It may be worthwhile to quote Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jeichi to better understand China’s foreign policy and its approach to relations with other countries. With focus and emphasis on collective work for collective and common security and development, Yang, in the 67^th UN General Assembly, made a passionate appeal to the international community to make a break from the outdated Cold War era’s mentality and think in a more innovative and humanitarian manner for the humanity’s better and secure future. “We should act like passengers who stick together in a boat when crossing a torrential river and seek win-win progress through cooperation,” Yang said. On security he made China’s position clear saying that while ensuring one’s own security a country must respect and accommodate the security of others.  Yang further said: To realize one’s own development, a country must actively promote common development; and in pursuing one’s own interests, a country must take into account the interest of other countries. Only by promoting common security and development for all of its members can the international community effectively address the complex and multiple security threats and global challenges, resolve increasingly serious difficulties facing development and ensure durable peace and sustainable development of the world.

These are the basic principles and ideals that China seeks to establish as the norms for diplomacy and foreign policy in the world, marked by conflict, mistrust and huge disparity in terms of development. To further reinforce these norms in the world of international diplomacy, China has its own bottom-line which Chinese Foreign Minister elucidated from the podium of the United Nations. Foreign Minister Yang put forth more clearly and more forcefully China’s position and stance in the international diplomacy seeking more democratization in the decision making process of the UN system and international politics. He said: We should promote equality and democracy in international relations. Mutual respect and equality are basic norms of governing international relations. All countries, big or small, weak and strong, and rich and poor are equal members of the international community. Respect for each other sovereignty, core interests and choice of social system and development path is a fundamental principle guiding state to state relations.

This is China’s a vision to create a new, just, safe and prosperous world and basis for its relations with other countries. At a time when China is preparing to hand over the leadership of the party as well as the government to fifth generation leaders, Chinese foreign minister’s foreign policy and global outlook definitely carries special significance, which clearly indicates the type of the world Beijing wants to create and direction it intends to go. Although People’s Republic of China has always believed in five principles of peaceful co-existence as the basis for relations with all countries, irrespective of their physical size, economic and military might, Beijing has been more assertive to make it a reality in the conduct of international diplomacy and foreign policy in recent years. Unlike a few decades ago, China is no longer a weak country. It is a global power with powerful economy and military might. However, Beijing is cautious to make sure that its military or economic power should not, at all, be threat to any country but an asset for the global power balance, peace and prosperity. The military modernization of China is purely for its own defense and China would by no means be a security threat to any country. In terms of foreign policy and development, China is no longer an inward-looking country. As a second largest economy and also poised to become the largest economy in near future, China has now realized it international obligation. Beijing knows well that its prosperity and development would be meaningless if its neighborhood remains poor and backward. Similarly, the world can never be a safe, secure and peaceful place unless poverty is eradicated globally. China is of the opinion that the poverty eradication, economic development and prosperity cannot be achieved without meaningful cooperation, partnership and pooling of resources. The hitherto tendency of some so-called powerful countries to impose decisions on weaker nations on unilateral basis has remained a stumbling block for meaningful cooperation aimed at creating a prosperous and peaceful world. Now China is effortful of creating a just world order for which it has been vigorously pursuing the countries in the world to discard the outdated concept that was in vogue during the period of Cold War. Now the world has undergone unprecedented changes and the same old thinking and mentality must be thrown away. Gone are the days of unipolarity and multilateral approach must be sought to ensure more democratization in the functioning and handling of international affairs. This is what China’s long-held position, which has been duly reflected in Foreign Minister Yang’s speech in the United Nations. In order to raise development level of the people in the world, China has been cooperating and providing both economic and technological assistance to poor and developing countries without any string attached, no matter what type of political system they have adopted. China believes that it is the right of the people of the concerned country to determine and choose particular political system or model, which should not be the business of the outsiders. Greater democracy is ensured only when the people freely choose their political system. Any kind of interference from outside in the name of democracy is in itself is the violation of basic essence of democracy. Political system imposed from outside can never be democracy. This is what China believes and has put into practice. China neither interferes in the internal affairs of any other country nor does it accept such acts in its own country.

China was not created overnight. It took long and arduous journey to arrive at this stage. China saw and felt many ups and downs and setbacks and success in its history. China’s modern history began with establishment of People’s Republic of China in 1949 after the success of Chinese revolution led by Mao Zedong. Amidst the euphoric masses in Tiananmen Square following the success on revolution, Mao had declared the establishment of a new China or the People’s Republic of China and said “China has stood up”. Undoubtedly, China has stood up. China has now become a global power. Like it or not, no power in the world can ever afford to ignore China. At a time, when the global capitalist system has utterly failed which is undoubtedly manifested in the global economic downturn coupled with high unemployment rate and collapse of banking and fiscal system in the Western capitalist countries, China is firmly marching ahead on the path of its development and modernization. China’s stunning economic growth accompanied by its successful endeavors in lifting hundreds of million people out of grinding poverty has become world’s development model of the 21^st century Even the capitalist countries and their fiscal organs have come with appreciation of China’s economic development, economic growth and poverty eradication. The World Bank, in its sharp comment, has said, “What China has achieved in one generation took several centuries for other countries”.

This is the status and image China has built in the world, thanks to contribution of its great leaders like Mao, Chou En Lai, Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin and currently Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao. Mao led the revolution and established an independent China whereas Deng opened it up and introduced economic reforms that totally transformed China to become an economic giant.  Now the next generation leaders are ready to take up the leadership of China, which is being watched with much curiosity both at home and abroad. This is because China has already grown as the central gravity of international power. Any events, big or small, major or minor, that unfolds in China would send its ripples worldwide. Thus, the eyes of the entire world are focused on the new leadership that is going to take over its responsibility soon. The next leader who is most likely to take over leadership is Xi Jinping, who is to replace the present President and general secretary of the party Hu Jintao, to be assisted most probably by Li Keqiang as the next premier as the current Premier Wen Jiabao, too, is retiring.

The National People’s Congress, the highest and most powerful organ of the Communist Party of China, will formally elect the new leaders including president, prime minister and others in the powerful position this month as the NPC is meeting. At this crucial time, new generation of leaders are taking over China’s political and governmental helms of affairs. As the world is facing tremendous challenges ranging from economic crisis to climatic catastrophe, there is definitely Herculean task ahead before the new leadership in Beijing because the world has expected much from China. Both Xi and Li are experienced ones who have already served in the government and party portfolios for a long time are expected to give continuity to China’s present momentum with much innovation and vigor. The future of the world clearly lies on what course and direction China takes. As a close neighbor, Nepal is closely watching the events unfolding in China and is expecting much from the new leadership.

As far as the relations between Nepal and China are concerned, they are excellent and without any problems throughout the history. China is bigger country with bigger size of economy. But China has always considered Nepal as an important neighbor and partner. China is important for Nepal, too, for various reasons. It is not only a close neighbor of Nepal but also a global power that has a big clout and say in the international power politics, which can be of immense benefit for Nepal provided we properly cultivate our relations with China and utilize Beijing’s good neighborly attitude and generosity towards the small neighbors in general and Nepal in particular. China’s growth and development is a matter of pride not only for Chinese people but for the entire Third World countries. China’s rise as a global power has marked a significant change in the international balance of power, which is definitely good for the world. The emergence of multiple power poles, which is distinctly visible, not only ends hegemony of a particular power bloc but also ensures greater check and balance in the world. China’s growth and development is important and matter of greater pride for Nepal because its closest neighbor is superpower and world’s most prosperous country.  Moreover, Nepal and China share common perception and values especially in the international affairs. The foreign policy values that China has been vigorously pursuing, which were reflected in the Chinese Foreign Minister’s UN speech, exactly resonates Nepal’s official foreign policy. Thus, Nepal and China has much to share and cooperate for which Beijing and Kathmandu need to build a strong network not only in the official level but also in the wider spectrum among the peoples of both the countries.