“China Supports Nepal’s Quest To Achieve Peace And Stability”
Zheng Xianglin 
Since his arrival to Nepal two months back, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zheng Xianglin has been actively taking part in different activities. In the last two weeks, Chinese Ambassador Zhen Xianglin has already given interviews to a couple of newspapers. In his recent effort to explain Chinese policy towards Nepal, Ambassador Xianglin addressed a press meet at the Reporter’s Club. Excerpts of his address:
On the issue of Monarchy:
China does not have specific views on future of monarchy in Nepal. China does not have any policy to interfere in the internal matter of any other country. It is for sovereign people of Nepal to decide the fate of Nepal. We will accept the verdict of sovereign Nepalese people expressed through the elections of Constituent Assembly.
On Peace and Stability
China is concerned about Nepal’s peace, stability, development and Nepal and Nepali people’s sovereignty, regional and territorial integrity. China always supports Nepal’s quest to achieve peace, and stability.
On Peace Process
China wants to actively take part in the peace process. China is ready to provide necessary support required by Nepal. Within a few weeks, some Chinese officials will visit Nepal to study Nepal’s ongoing peace process and to further support the process. China will treat equally all the forces involved in peace process.
On Bilateral Relations
Nepal and China’s relations are centuries old and the relations are always friendly, and cordial. The high level visits by the leaders of two countries have helped to further strengthen it. China has very excellent and cordial relations with Nepal. I will try my best to strengthen and expand cordial and friendly existing relations between the two countries.
On the Railways in Tibetan Autonomous Region
The road and rail network in Tibetan Autonomous Region have already been expanded considerably. The expansion of railway links Tibet with the rest of China. We have a plan to improve the road between Lhasa and Khasa.
On Internal Matters of Nepal
China opposes any kind of interference in internal affairs of any country of the world including Nepal. China has always supported Nepal’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. China believes that Nepalese people are capable themselves to settle their issues.
On Maoists
Maoists have already joined the government and entered the parliament. They seem to be like other parties. Our dialogue with them is like with other parties.
On China’s Aid
Under the Chinese cooperation, Syaphrubeshi- Rasuwagadhi road, Polytechnic school in Banepa and construction of Civil Servant Hospital are going on. China is ready to increase support in Nepal’s economic, technical and educational sector. I will make my best effort to start Syaphrubesi- Rasuwagadhi road soon.
On the Visit of Nepalese PM
The home work is going on regarding the proposed visit of Nepalese prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala to China. The forthcoming visit of Nepalese prime minister Koirala to China will focus on economic development in Nepal. The date will be announced soon. The visit will add new dimension in the relations between the two countries. A high level Chinese delegation will also visit Nepal by the end of this year.
On Bilateral Trade
China has already given certain concessions to Nepalese products in China. It is up to Nepalese industrial sector to utilize this opportunity to tap great potential of Chinese market.
Powell Stresses Need To Ensure Free And Fair Polls
The US ambassador-designate for Nepal, Nancy Powell has stressed on the need to ensure that elections are "as free and fair as they can be so that there is no reason for groups, whether it's the Maoists or others, to reject the results."
Participating in the hearing at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, President's nominee to serve as US ambassador to Nepal said that in order to assure that the elections are free and fair when they do take place, "the government must urgently restore law and order throughout the country, complete the legislative and logistical groundwork for a well-administered election, and reach out to disaffected groups to ensure their adequate representation and peaceful participation in the political process."
Powell said that peace and democracy in Nepal would directly serve US interests in stability and democracy in South Asia. "The Seven Party Alliance and the Maoists who together comprise the interim government have agreed to a political roadmap that, if fully implemented, has the potential to deliver peace and democracy to Nepal," she told the Committee chaired by John F. Kerry, Democratic Senator and US presidential candidate during 2004 elections.
Powell, however, added that despite much progress, success is far from assured. "Although the Maoists joined the government on April 1st, they continue to violate commitments they have made in the course of the peace process. Unrest in the lowlands along the Indian border has further complicated efforts to restore law and order and the authority of the government throughout the country."
On the Maoists, she said that "they have not shown 100 percent commitment, particularly with the founding of the Young Communist League. Intimidation, extortion, some of the kidnapping has been continuing." About the weapons deposited by the Maoists in containers, Powell said that it was not clear that that is the entire cache. "My experience in South Asia is that even if they had locked up all of those in their possession, it isn't that difficult to get new ones in the region," said Powell, who had served as US ambassador to Pakistan in the aftermath of 9/11 attacks.
Powell also spoke about the role of India. "They have enormous amounts of influence with the various political groups, including the Maoists, over the years, and so they will continue to play a very important role," she said.
On the issue of Chinese ability to help, she said, “They have, again, a long border with Nepal. They have rejected the idea that these are people that are somehow tied to their former leader and have spoken out in favor of the current peace process. And I would hope that they would be engaged in promoting that.”
She added that achieving durable solutions for the 108,000 Bhutanese refugees in Nepal continues to be a US priority. "If confirmed, I look forward to working with the government of Nepal to implement current plans for a voluntary resettlement program that would accommodate at least 60,000 of these refugees. I will also encourage the government of Nepal to ensure that the rights of all Tibetan refugees, resident in or transiting Nepal, are respected." Powell is expected to replace James Moriarty as US ambassador to Nepal sometime next month. Moriarty is returning after completing his three-year tenure. Nepalnews.com reports
