Nepal-China Ties
Exemplary Relationship

By Jagadish B. Mathema

A FEW weeks back this scribe had had an opportunity to listen to Prof. Wang Hongwei, Professor of Asia-Pacific Studies, Beijing on the topic "Some Thoughts on Sino-Nepal Relations," organised by China Studies Center at Hotel Himalaya.

Second Home

The Chinese scholar is an expert of imminence on "Nepal-China Relations" and has visited Nepal several times. He loves Nepal and says that Nepal is his ‘second home’.

In his paper, which he presented during the seminar on 18 September, 2000 at Hotel Himalaya, he gave a comprehensive presentation in almost all aspects of Nepal—China ties beginning from ancient times.

There is no doubt that China and Nepal are close neighbours. We have common border extending up to 1,400 kilometre long border and close economic, social, religious and cultural ties.

In his paper he writes, "Until the beginning of ninteenth century, Nepal shared greater cultural affinity and had greater economic interest in Tibet than any where else outside Nepal".

The very interesting event Professor Wang mentioned was in 639 A.D. The Nepalese King Amshu Verma gave his daughter Bhirkuti to Strong Tsam Gampo (617 -650), the then ruler of Tibet in marriage, who later propounded Buddhism in Tibet.

Our cultural relationship with China formerly began in 406 A.D. when a Chinese learned monk Fa Xian (337 -422) visited the birthplace of Lord Budha in Lumbini. At the same time in 408 A.D. the famous Nepalese monk Buddhabhadra (339-429) went China to disseminate Buddhism. In 635 A.D. Xuan Zang another noted Chinese learned monk also visited Lumbini. Several Chinese religious leaders have also visited the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

Prof. Wang claimed in his paper that the Chinese paper making technique was introduced into Nepal between 650-670 A.D.

This kind of people to people contacts have continued regularly between China and Nepal which included visits by above 300 monks sent by the Emperor of China Tanzu of Song Dynasty.

From our side also, the visit of Araniko, the noted was an important event. He was invited by the then Chinese emperor, who later built golden pagoda in China. The history tells us that by the order of Kublai Khan, Araniko restored in 1265, a bronze figure showing acupuncture points made in the Song Dynasty. The renovated figure with acupuncture points and channels, won the acclamation and admiration of all the smiths with its ingenuity.

Prof. Wang writes about Arniko, "In 1278, to award his artistic achievement the Yuan court bestowed on him the title of Guanglu Daifu Da Situ (official posts with the rank of a Minister) and the honour and salary of Prime Minister". The towering and magnificent white pagoda inside Funchengmen Gate, which is a valid and significant example of the contributions the great Nepalese architect Arniko made to promote culture relations between the two countries.

The cultural relations between China and Nepal date back as much as 2,000 years old. It has been now 45 years that the diplomatic relations have been established between our two nations which have remained cordial and friendly. With the establishment of Embassies in both the countries since 1960, the relations between China and Nepal have expanded in diverse activities. Although the political system between China and Nepal are different, both the countries have been successful to demonstrate that can live in peaceful co-existence.

The Panchasil concept, which was propounded long time ago has sustained as yet. Prof. Wang added in his paper, "Actions of both sides in the last 45 years indicate that this promise has been well kept"

China has been advocating that all countries, big and small, rich and poor, strong and weak are the equal members of international community. All international affairs worldwide should be settled through negotiations by all the countries in the world in equal terms as and on the basis of mutual respect.

We have seen that the border issues between China and Nepal were also settled "in a spirit of fairness, reasonableness, mutual understanding and mutual accommodation and thorough friendly consultations." The signing of the treaty between our two countries with regard to Nepal-China border was an important event. Besides, in 1979, both the countries signed a new protocol on the border issue, which completed the definition and demarcation of boundaries. The completion of the border can be called a milestone achievement in the relations between Nepal and China.

The frequent visits of the Heads of State, Heads of Government and other important personalities have helped a great deal in strengthening the friendly ties between Nepal and China. Late King Mahendra visited China nine times and former Chinese Prime Ministers Zhuo Ziyang, and Li Peng visited Nepal one after another. The incumbent Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, the late Prime Minister Man Mohan Adhikari, Sher Bahadur Deuba, Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, the opposition leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, the present Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Paudel also visited China.

Nepal has always remained an independent country. Nepal was never colonized and Nepalese are proud of their independence. Nepalese love their nation and have strong will to protect the sovereignty of the country. And China has always supported Nepal in her struggle for safeguarding national sovereignty and independence.

On the other hand, Nepal has always pledged that no anti-China activities will be allowed to take place in the territory of Nepal.

In the changed context and with the beginning of the new millennium, China-India relations have gradually been normalised and back into the right track. Nepal is very happy to see these two close neighbours coming near and this event is certainly a favorable environment for all the countries China, Nepal and India.

The economic development between China and Nepal has developed continuously over these years. As Prof. Wang admited in his paper, "Before 1980s, the form of economic co-operation between Nepal and China was comparatively very low." China never attached any political preconditions while giving economic aid to Nepal and has always treated Nepalese workers, working in various projects being handled by China as equal colleagues.

Among the various economic assistance provided by China, the Sunsari-Morang irrigation project can be identified as a significant engineering undertaking. Besides, China has also promised long term credit to finance Nepal’s purchase of Chinese commodities and products for the purpose of construction. There have already been 8 Chinese joint venture projects operating in Nepal, while 12 are licensed and four are under construction.

Both Chinese and Nepal are pursuing the policy of economic reforms and private sector led growth. Both China and Nepal are in the process of obtaining membership of the World Trade Organisation. In addition to that, there is considerable potentialities for establishing China-Nepal joint investment projects in Nepal especially in the areas of hydropower, agriculture and forest-based industries and tourism related industries.

The other aspect of economic ties between Nepal and China is also encouraging. Last year bilateral trade between Nepal and China increased from about 72 million rupees in previous year to 100 million rupees. With Chinese investment, a huge Pashmina industry has already been set up in Eastern Nepal. A Chinese company also has signed an agreement with a Nepalese company to develop Madia hydropower project. These are very encouraging facts that substantiate that several other Chinese investments will certainly be forthcoming in the days to come.

China began to push forward the joint investment projects since 1992. This certainly is a new approach in assisting the foreign countries in which Chinese entrepreneurs and businessmen will work on the basis of partnership in implementing and executing the future projects for there are several advantages in initiating this new approach. By utilising both loan and fund raised by enterprise itself, the sources of capital as well as the scale of the project could be expanded. It is favourable for the recipient country to increase its income and employment the enterprises from both countries could also benefit.

Prof. Wang concludes, "In developing Sino-Nepalese relations on economic cooperation, if we can adhere to this new pattern of aiding which has been testified by the practice in past years, and combined it with non-governmental cooperation, push them on forcefully, supplement and develop in an all round way Sino-Nepalese economic cooperation and trade will definitely be entering into a new stage of development in an unprecedented scale. The efficient cooperation in the economic area and trade will definitely make the everlasting friendly and good neighbourly relations and partnership between China and Nepal to radiate beautiful rays in the new situation in the new millennium.

Beneficial

Nepal would be much benefitted border trade like with India can be practiced. As the founder of this nation the great King Prithvi Narayan Shah had said, "Nepal is like a yam situated between the two boulders" we must see to it that our two giant friendly nations (China and India) come closer, so that the prosperity of this vast area can be achieved in future.

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