China Reassures Nepal in Transition

By DR. UPENDRA GAUTAM

Vice-minister Liu Hongcai

Vice-minister of International Department of Communist Party of China (CPC) Liu Hongcai led a delegation to pay a friendly visit to Nepal from November 21st to November 26, 2006 . He, significantly enough, was invited by the ruling Nepali Seven Party Alliance (SPA) including the Nepali Congress Party.  Vice Chairman of the Nepali Congress party Shushil Koirala on behalf of Nepal 's ruling Seven Party Alliance had extended the invitation for his visit.

Liu was the first important Chinese party dignitary who visited Nepal after April 2006 revolution in Nepal that forced King Gyanendra to restore dissolved House of Representatives and appoint SPA Leader Girija Prasad Koirala as the Prime Minister of the country. As a Vice-minister of Mao's and Deng's China, Liu knew it very well that how much his country has been maligned by the foreign elements for the organizational name that the guerrillas (the Communist Party of Nepal) have used for themselves. This is exactly why he did not go beyond the SPA government framework, and kept his engagements in Nepal absolutely consistent with China 's celebrated policy of non-interference. But after the formation of a more inclusive interim government, the scenario may change for wider Chinese engagement in Nepal . China as a principled pragmatic neighbor has been and will indeed keep pace with changes and reforms in Nepal . 

Knowing Liu

Liu has been a Vice-Minister, International Department, CPCCentral Committee since 2003. He was chief, CPC, Central Committee, International Department, Administrative Office from 2001 to 2003. He was Deputy Secretary-General, CPC, Central Committee, International Department 2000—2003. He was Director-General, CPC, Central Committee, International Department, Bureau No. 2 from 2000 to 2001. He worked as First Secretary, Chinese Embassy in Japan between 1989—1992. He was Director-General, CPC, Central Committee, International Liaison Department from 1975—1989. Liu born in north-east Chinese province of Liaoning in 1955 has been among those rare birds in CPC who could confidently navigate CPC with 400 political parties around the globe.  

Kathmandu events

On November 22 Nepali Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala had a meeting with Liu. In the meeting he reaffirmed Nepal 's stance that Taiwan and Tibet are inalienable parts of China , and Nepal will never allow external forces to engage in anti-China activities on Nepal 's territory. Koirala said China has long been providing aid to Nepal's development and positively contributed to Nepal's peace progress, expressing hope that the Nepal-China friendship will be passed on to the younger generations by stepping up their exchanges. The prime minister further noted that the Nepali Congress party attaches importance to the relationship with CPC, and the party was in favor of learning CPC's experience in governing a country, especially in developing economy. In reply, Liu said the CPC and the Chinese government highly appreciate Nepal 's political parties' signing the peace accord and putting the interests of their country and people first, and wished Nepal lasting peace and steady economic growth. He also expressed hopes that the two countries will continue to deepen their reciprocal cooperation. Liu made futuristic remarks while meeting with the second generation leaders of the SPA. On 26 November he held an informal farewell dialogue with the senior representatives of China Study Center , Nepal . His departing points will be remembered for its reassuring tone and content pregnant with a profound sense of understanding and strong willingness to help politically transitional Nepal . Multi-dimensional and multi-channel contacts between China and Nepal have received further boost on the heels of Liu's visit.