National 5 (Spotlight Weekly)

Northern Rebuke

Refusing to recognize the rebels as followers of Mao, Beijing backs Kathmandu's anti-insurgency operations

By SANJAYA DHAKAL

Amid Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's visit to the United States and Britain to bolster international support for the government's fight against the Maoists and the intensification of security operations in western Nepal, the Chinese ambassador to Nepal has sharply criticized the rebels, accusing them of misusing the name of the late Chinese leader.

In a message laced with sharp criticism against the rebels, Ambassador Wu Congyong stated, "China labels the insurgents as anti-government outfits, and we never call them as Maoists. They misuse the name of Chairman Mao, which impairs the image of the great leader of China, and at the same time, it can serve as an excuse for the international anti-China forces to create troubles."

Ambassador Wu clarified the Chinese government's stance on May 10 at a program held at the Chinese Embassy in Baluwatar to launch the website of the embassy. The high-charged message delivered by the envoy stated that China did not have any relations with the insurgents. "We would like to seriously reiterate that neither the Chinese government nor any organizations in China have any relations with the anti-government outfits."

The ambassador also appealed to the Nepalese media to distinguish between falsehood and fact. "We hope the Nepal media could distinguish clearly between right and wrong, and not be manipulated by rumors."

Analysts say the Chinese envoy's remarks represent a reaffirmation of the firm stand taken by Nepal's northern neighbor against the rebels. "The fact that the Chinese government has refused to acknowledge the rebels even as Maoists is most significant. It clearly points how our northern neighbor has dissociated itself from the rebels who call themselves followers of Chinese leader Mao," said a political analyst.

The Chinese government has also extended strong backing to the Nepalese government in its fight against the insurgents. "The Chinese government consistently opposes terrorism in any form and upholds international cooperation to combat terrorism. In this context, we condemn the violence and terrorist acts unleashed by the anti-government outfits in Nepal," the message states.

He also stated that the Chinese government would continue to support Nepal. "China will continue to support His Majesty and His Majesty's Government's efforts to restore peace and stability in Nepal. And China has rendered assistance within its capability. We are convinced that His Majesty and His Majesty's Government are fully capable to handle the domestic difficulties and resume law and order." He also stated that "whatever changes may happen in the international and regional arena", China will continue to maintain its good-neighborly relations with Nepal based on the five principles of peaceful co-existence.

The new website of the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu (www.chinaembassy.org.np) provides easy access to a wealth of China-related information, including diplomacy, trade, technology, culture, education, travel, human rights and Sino-Nepalese relations.