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VOL. 27, NO. 33, May 02, 2008 (Baishakh 20 2065 B.S.)
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VISIT OF CHINESE DELEGATION
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Active And Alert
Led by Ai Ping, director general of the international department of Chinese communist party, a visiting delegation appraises itself with the changing political situation
By Keshab Poudel
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Ping: Friendly assurance |
As soon as the election results started coming in, China - Nepal's northern neighbor – became the first country to announce aid package to Nepal. China offered a US$ 200 million soft concession loan to 50 MW upper Trishuli Hydro Power project.
Then came Nepal-China Trade Fair where Chinese ambassador to Nepal Zheng Xianglin agreed to provide market to Nepalese products in China to reduce the widening trade gap between the two countries. As Sino-Nepal bilateral trade rose to US$ 400 million in 2007 and is growing every year, these kinds of exhibitions will have significance in helping promote bilateral trade.
Within a week, a high level delegation led by Ai Ping, director general of the International Department of Chinese Communist Party has visited Nepal. He announced that Railway will come to Khasa, Nepal-China border by 2011 on completion of their ninth five year plan. Ping told this to prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala during his meeting with him at the latter's official residence.
"Ping informed that the extension of the broad gauge railway from Lhasa to Khasa has been incorporated in China's five year plan and that the project was expected to be completed within five years," prime minister's foreign affairs advisor Aditya Baral told the media.
Along with meeting prime minister, Ping also met with CPN-Maoist leader Prachanda who is projected as the head of next new government and other leaders of political parties. He even attended a program organized to thank CPN-UML and Maoist members of Constituent Assembly in Dhulikhel,
"Change in the government structure cannot have influence in state-to-state relations between the two countries," said Ai Ping. "There is no reason to (be concerned about) the friendly relations between the two countries when Maoists are going to lead the government. There is no hindrance in maintaining friendly relations with the Maoist government," said Ping.
Participating in an interaction, Ping stressed the need to maintain close relations between the two countries. "We respect sovereignty and territorial integrity of our neighbor Nepal," said Ping. "Nepali people have their own vision for economic prosperity and development. We are there to support them."
"Now on, we will also give due place to encourage people-to-people relations at the grass root level," Ping said.
Whether they are coincidental or something else, these three events indicate how much China - which shares more than 1470 kilometer long border with Nepal – cares and is concerned about the unfolding political situation in Nepal after the elections. By offering soft loan and sending high level delegation, Chinese message is clear that they will have all-weather relationship with all political parties.
"The bilateral relationship would be further strengthened with a new spirit and in the interest of benefiting peoples at greater extent," said Krishna Bahadur Mahara minister of information and communication and spokesman of CPN-Maoist.
The visit of director general of Chinese Communist Party indicated that China is alert and active in Nepal.
