" We Will Not Tolerate Interference On Nepal 's Internal Affairs By Any Country Of The World"
Li Shaoxian
LI SHAOXIAN, vice-president of the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), an internationally acknowledged comprehensive research institute of China with top scholars and experts of various subjects in its realm was recently in town under an invitation of China Study Center (CSC). During his visit to Nepal , Li met prime minister, senior ministers, leaders of political parties and member of civil society and traveled to Lumbini and Chitwan. Li briefly spoke to SPOTLIGHT at a diner hosted in his honor by China Study Center . Excerpts:
How do you see the Nepal-China relations?
The relations between the two countries are very excellent and cordial. Our relation is based on respect to each other's sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference on each other's internal affairs.
If some country interferes in internal affairs of Nepal , how will China respond?
China will oppose foreign interference in the internal affairs of any country including Nepal . China believes that people of Nepal are capable to solve their problems by their own. We will not tolerate interference on Nepal 's internal affairs by any country of the world. Whenever China was weak in the past, one or other forces interfered in internal affairs of its neighbor.
What is your observation about Nepalese leaders?
Nepalese leaders and Nepalese people give high value to the relations with China . Nepal-China relations is centuries old and the people to people contact between the two countries is centuries old. I am very happy to say that Nepalese people and political leaders as a whole have understanding about this.
As Nepal , which shares more than 1500 kilometers long border with China , has been passing through a very chaotic and unstable situation, how does China look at it?
As a friendly neighbor, China always wants to see politically stable and economically prosperous Nepal . As Nepal is heading to hold the elections for Constituent Assembly, there will be peace after that. Sooner the stability and normalcy return, better for the region and Nepal . Nepal 's instability will have long term implications in its border with Tibetan Autonomous Region of China. My observation is that Nepalese people have capability and strength to settle all their own internal problems and bring back normalcy in the country.
How will China support in holding elections of Constituent Assembly in Nepal ?
Chinese government and Chinese people are ready to support Nepal to successfully hold the elections for Constituent Assembly. When our delegation met prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala, leaders of other political parties, all of them expressed their hope that China will support Nepal to hold the elections. As Chinese government and Chinese people always want to see prosperous and stable Nepal , we will support all the efforts made by Nepal to achieve peace and stability.
Do you see possibility of holding elections in Nepal ?
After our discussion with Nepalese high level officials, leaders of political parties and members of civil society, I got the impression that all are committed to hold the elections.
As Qinghai- Lhasa railway has brought tremendous change in Tibetan Autonomous Region, how the country in the region can benefit from it?
It brings immense economic prosperity to Tibetan Autonomous region linking it with the rest of China . This railway will also help Nepal diversify its trade. Once the railway is extended up to the border, Nepal will have another alternative route for international trade. Even your political leaders and ministers expressed the satisfaction over the extension of railway in Tibet .
What is the purpose of your visit?
One of the purposes of our visit is to foster people to people contact and to see overall situation of Nepal including learning something about holding the elections of Constituent Assembly. As I have already mentioned, we met prime minister, foreign minister and leaders of all major political parties and civil society members.
What is your impression about Nepal ?
This is a very beautiful country and people are very nice and humble.
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