VISIT OF CHINESE MINISTER
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Security Concern Chinese vice minister for Foreign Affairs Wu Dawei reiterates China ’s stand that Nepalese can settle their problems on their own
By KESHAB POUDEL
As in the past visit of other high level Chinese officials, Chinese vice minister for Foreign Affairs Wu Dawei reiterated that China always wants to see Nepal as a prosperous, independent and sovereign nation.
Less than twenty four hours after his departure from Nepal noting that Nepalese leaders understand the sensitivity of China and Tibet , there came sudden outburst of disturbance in Kodari - Nepal-China border point. Whatever the reasons behind it, the incident showed there are elements active to damage the cordial relations between the two countries.
Wu Dawei, the first high level Chinese official to pay visit to Nepal after the formation of new seven party alliance government, stressed the need that Nepalese are capable enough to settle their own problems hinting that China will not accept any country's hegemony and interference in Nepal .
In his visit, Chinese government also pledged an assistance of 120 million Yuan equivalent to Rs.1.08 billion to Nepal . Nepalese deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs K.P. Sharma Oli said that the Chinese government has announced to provide Nepal financial aid of 120 million Yuan increasing China's regular support by 50 percent. "The money will be used in any sector according to the need of Nepal ," said Oli.
" China supported the democratic movement and change in Nepal in the past as well as the present democratic government," said Oli. During his visit, Chinese leader also met prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala, former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and other high ranking officials. Chinese side, among others, reportedly raised the question regarding the Tibetan refugee issues.
"I hope the leaders of Nepal understand the sensitivity of Tibetan refugee issues. I believe that Nepalese government will handle the refugee issue properly," Chinese minister Wu told the media at Tribhuwan International Airport before returning home.
Following the high level meeting and exchange of views, Nepalese and Chinese leaders expressed that they have warm and cordial relations understanding each others’ sensitivity.
"Nepal-China relation is neither problem free nor problem dominated. The relations has not been able to attain the necessary height and make up edifice for strong economic linkage between Nepal and China irrespective of the several agreements including the Syaphrubeshi Rasuwagadhi highway signed in 2001 May between then Koirala government and Chinese government. In the last five years period after Royal carnage in June 2001, Delhi has been playing dominant role and its brazen interference has increased in Nepal ," said Madan Regmi, chairman of China Study Center . "Recent visit of Wu Dawei is in line with the continuity of China 's support to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and development of Nepal and China 's effort to see Nepal be united and solve its problem by safeguarding the nation. Besides, China has a lot of clout in Nepal and despite active interference of Indo-American axis to dictate the terms of Nepalese destiny and to further accelerate the pace of Indian colonization of Nepal , the Chinese policy for its own security and other sensitive concerns have been projected strongly. His visit once again reaffirms Chinese standing policy not accepting interference from any foreign powers in internal affairs of Nepal ," said Regmi. " China will never allow Nepalese soil to be used as a springboard for anti-Chinese activities. This government should not play double role," cautioned Regmi.
Meanwhile, the media correspondents of southern neighbor based in Nepal had most negative views on the visit. "Though they had earlier supported King Gyanendra's direct rule and stepped up arms sale to the regime, the Chinese government drove a favorable bargain, getting Nepal's support for its one China policy in exchange of the aid," writes Nepal based correspondent of Indian Abroad News Service. "However, last year, after King Gyanendra seized power through a bloodless coup, to show its support to the monarch who had become isolated in the international community, China hiked its assistance by 20 million Yuan."
This is not a single case of differences between China and India on Nepal 's issues. Chinese have resolutely pursued that Nepalese can solve their problems on their own. Sharing more than 1500 kilometer border with Nepal , Chinese have shown more concern towards Nepal in the last few months.
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