Beijing’s message on Nepal

Yuba Nath Lamsal

For the first time in the history of Nepal-China relations, never had Beijing so loudly and clearly spoken of its role and intention in the affairs of Nepal as it has done recently. Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Yang Haoulan, in an interaction last week in Kathmandu said that China was deeply concerned over Nepal’s current state of politics and Beijing is holding talks with New Delhi to jointly develop a common strategy, perspective and views on Nepal affairs. To look at the surface, one may conclude that Beijing, too, like other western countries especially the United States, has started looking at Nepal from the prism of New Delhi. But it is naïve to analyze the Ambassador Houlan’s views in such a simplistic and straight forward manner as it so appears.

Nepal is definitely an area of concern for China because it shares over 1000 km common border with Nepal. But, so far, China has kept itself away from Nepal’s internal politics because China’s set foreign policy is, among others, respect to sovereignty and non-interference to other country’s internal affairs. Whatever the physical, military and economic size, China considers all countries of the committee of nations equal and treats them on the basis of mutual equality. As regards Beijing’s policy with its neighbors including Nepal, it is based on its broader foreign policy perspective.

Ambassador Houlan’s remarks are not different from China’s set foreign policy priority and strategy. Nepal is a close neighbor with which China has age-old relationship and has not problem at all with Nepal. Being a close neighbor with a long common border, China always maintained friendly relations with Nepal and extended cooperation on various fields. Despite its good neighborly attitude, Beijing has often felt discomfort from its south western areas bordering Tibet, which are more sensitive region of China from security point of view, more particularly from Nepal. Although Nepal has repeatedly reiterated its stance on its long cherished one-China policy and vow not to let Nepali territories to be used against the interest and security of any of its neighbor, China seems to be not fully satisfied with Nepal’s handling the issue pertaining to security matters. Some unscrupulous elements who pose to be Tibetan exiles, often instigated and backed by some western powers, are trying to hurt China’s security interest and destabilize Tibet, which is the subject of primary security concern of China. Beijing wants Government of Nepal to strictly translate its commitment into practice when it comes to controlling anti-China activities. The problem often arises in relation with controlling anti-China activities at a time when Nepal faces political instability and the government becomes weak in Kathmandu. China is well aware of this situation. China, thus, wants stable political situation and strong government in Nepal that would not only ensure speedy development in Nepal but would also strictly control activities, of any kind, that are likely to harm China’s security interest. Beijing has realized that unless its neighborhood is stable, strong and prosperous, China’s security interests may not be guaranteer in its south western frontier. China's security situation would always be vulnerable as long as its neighborhood remains fragile and unstable.

Against this background, China’s concern is Nepal’s stability, development and peace, for which Beijing has expressed its commitment to extend cooperation in whatever way possible. This is not only for Nepal’s development but also for interest of China and the entire South Asian region including India. Politically unstable and economically poor country can always become problem for the neighbors.  Being located between two Asian giants, it is the responsibility of both China and India to ensure that stability, prosperity and peace in Nepal. This is the message Ambassador Houlan intends to convey to both Nepal and India.

China is a country that conducts shrewd diplomacy taking into account the long-term national interest and security. Beijing does not get over reacted on any issues.  It does not react instantly but react only when it is absolutely necessary. The political developments and external activities in this Himalayan Republic has compelled China to react and make comments on Nepal’s internal politics. This reaction has come because it is appropriate time that Beijing must react to not allow the situation from going out of control.

Ambassador Houlan’s remarks have multiple messages. First is the China’s concern for Nepal’s development, for which it intends to work closely with India. The second message is to warn India against New Delhi’s over meddling and involvement in Nepal internal politics. By stating that China and India hold similar views on Nepal’s affairs, Ambassador Houlan intends to make it clear that Nepal is not the sole area of India’s security interest. China’s interests in Nepal, too, are equally strong. This makes clear that India alone cannot take any decision on Nepal affairs and China needs to be consulted on these matters. Similarly, these remarks indirectly warn India not to interfere in Nepal’s affairs. It implies that China is no more inward-looking but wants to play its due role in the international arena including in its neighborhood. It also tells that China no longer would remain a silent spectator when any other country tries to poke nose in the internal affairs of its neighbor and interfere in the internal matters.

Thirdly, Ambassador Houlan intends to send a clear message to other countries especially the Western powers that have been active in Nepal under various pretexts especially aiming at destabilizing Tibet. Recently, the United States of America has taken a marked shift in its South Asia policy and also in Washington's Nepal policy. Departing from its earlier South Asia policy in general and Nepal policy in particular, the United States has started looking at Nepal from the perspective of New Delhi and has accordingly adopted its policy. Similarly, other countries especially the European ones have unnecessarily instigating ethnic and racial tension and also focusing on religious conversion especially in the Himalayan region of Nepal. China has watched these activities more seriously. Beijing has, thus, warned India to cooperate with China on Nepal affairs rather than hobnobbing with countries and powers beyond this region. China has already started consultation with India on Nepal, which implies that it is none of the business of other countries to poke nose in Nepal and China’s neighborhood. China wants to resolve all the issues in South Asian region with due consultation with India and wants similar reciprocity from New Delhi.

Ambassador Houlan’s message is neither to hand over security of the countries of South Asia to any particular country but his message is clear that China is here to play its role for the security and development of the region. Beijing’s intentions and message are clear that South Asia is the domain of equal security interest of both China and India and these two countries have to deal with issues concerning security of South Asia and South Asian countries.  This is a clear message that extra-continental powers should be kept away from the neighborhood and South Asia. It is an indication of increased interest of China in South Asia. Already irked by tension instigated by external powers in South China and East China Sea, Beijing does not want similar situation in South Asia. The Himalayan region bordering Nepal is its South Western frontier and this region is relatively more vulnerable from security point of view. Some countries and powers are trying to use Nepal as a springboard to create disturbances in Tibet, Xinjian and other areas. The external power and other miscreants that enter Nepal with the objective of sneaking into Tibet come through India. Thus, China wants India to stop such elements from entering into this region and not to hobnob with other countries that try to destabilize and weaken China.