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VOL. 27, NO. 6, September 21, 2007 (Ashwin 04 2064 B.S.)
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CHINA FESTIVAL 2007
Show of Friendship
China Festival 2007 helps to bring the people of two countries closer by sharing of culture
By KESHAB POUDEL
Even as Nepal passes through critical transition, two neighbors India and China have
been showing growing interests here.
Less than a couple of hours after the comment of Indian foreign secretary Shiv Shankar Menon that India wants to see Nepal as a stable and economically prosperous country, ambassador of Nepal's northern neighbor China, too, echoed the statement saying that China is ready to support Nepal to make it prosperous and stable.
Although officials of Nepal's two neighbors spoke their statements in two different occasions, Nepal's both neighbors have ultimately no option other than to accept that only stable and prosperous Nepal can guarantee their interests.
To show how many similarities are there between Nepal and China and how Nepal can benefit from Chinese progress, Chinese delegation has decorated the Birendra International Convention Center (BCCI) as a model. The menu of the programs is another reflection where Chinese artists sing Nepalese songs. The convention center was decorated in such a style that one can feel the taste of China in the capital Kathmandu where people saw cultural shows along with enjoying Chinese food.
The message of China Festival 2007 is clear: Nepal and China have many commonalities and they have many things to share. Inaugurated jointly by prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala and vice governor of Guangdong Province of China Lei Yulan, the week long festival is first of its kind where Nepalese can see all kinds of progress made by China over the years and enjoy vivid cultural life of China.
" Nepal and China share long border but our relations are problem free. The governments come and go but people to people relations are permanent. I hope this festival will promote centuries old people to people relations," said prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala. "Under the leadership of B.P. Koirala, Nepal and China gave new direction to the relations between the two countries and it will further strengthen in coming days."
Along with bringing cultural troops, China Festival 2007 has also showed how China has made progress over the years in various areas. "The relation between China and Nepal is centuries old. Our relation is higher as Himalayas and warm and friendly. Being a close neighbor, China is ready to support Nepal to achieve high economic growth and prosperity," said vice governor Lei.
With the growing number of flights and increased access to the Chinese media, Nepalese are very much willing to know about the progress made by China and Chinese people. For Nepalese, Chinese symbolize hard working people with warm behavior towards them. By supporting development efforts in Nepal by constructing high ways, industries, hydropower plant, irrigation facilities, hospitals and poly-technical institutes, China has already shown its generous interest in Nepal.
By signing an agreement to construct 20 kilometer long Syaphrubesi- Kerung Road, 100, miles north of Capital, China has shown that Nepal and China need alternative roads to meet trade volume between the two countries.
" China and Nepal are linked by river, mountains and our relation is centuries old. China is ready to provide all necessary support to turn Nepal as a prosperous, stable and developed Nepal. After establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the two countries’ relations remain cordial and warm" said Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zheng Xianglin.
Fair For Culture
Along with displaying Chinese traditional dances, acrobatic and music, the fair also gives opportunity to see how China has transformed its economic base and achieved development target. More than 60 Chinese stalls are also there to sell various Chinese goods and other products including books.
"We brought here economic prosperity and rich culture of Southern Chinese City of Guangdong," said vice governor Lieu. “From white cloud to white silver, we have come to our beautiful neighboring country."
With high economic growth and fast development, Nepal's northern neighbor has made tremendous progress. The progress made by China is challenge as well as opportunity for Nepal. The railway link to Lhasa and its extension up to Sigatse has already opened Nepal to global market through northern front. This new development will provide immense opportunity to diversify Nepal's trade.
Nepalese business sector is yet to exploit opportunities presented by China. The regular air links between China's Southern city Guandong with capital Kathmandu has already opened up new destination for businessmen and traders of Nepal.
From cultural programs, dance and acrobatic to Chinese made goods and Chinese food, there is diverse presentation in the festival. To perform the cultural programs, a 35 member strong Cultural Troupe from Hang Seng Cultural Group has stayed in Nepal.
Along with performing Chinese dances, martial arts and other performances, the Chinese cultural troupe also showed Nepalese dance in Nepalese songs. The music and rhythm displayed to perform Nepalese dance showed long preparation by Chinese artistes.
Showing world class performance of ring dance, the Guinness book record holder and eighteen years old Huang Xiaoya demonstrated awesome talent.
In the last one year, two countries have stepped up their cultural and business activities. Less than a week after Nepal-Tibet-China Economic and Trade Expo 2007 in which the organizers had to leave the stall after rush selling, China Festival kicked off. Organized by Embassy of People's Republic of China, World Cultural Net and Guangdong Province, the week long China Festival has some unique charters.
At a time when Nepal's northern neighbor China has made tremendous progress in its economy and development and a large number of Nepalese student go to study in various universities in China, there is a growing interest in Nepal about China.
People to people interactions between Nepal and China has increased as large numbers of Nepalese students are now studying in various Chinese universities and many China experts are now working in Nepal. Along with education exchange, the interactions at official and other levels are also growing.
Whatever the political system and whoever is in power in Nepal, it does not make any difference to China as it maintains constant and stable relations with Nepal. In the past, Chinese focused more on official relationship but they are now focusing to develop the people to people relationship.
The message of China Festival 2007 is clear as it shows Nepal and China; two neighbors, have many things common which binds the relations for centuries.
