National 4 (Spotlight Weekly)

'The Stability In Nepal Is Conductive To The Peace And Stability of The South Asian Region'

— SUN HEPING

Newly appointed ambassador of People's Republic of China Sun Heping is a carrier diplomat. Before his appointment to Nepal ambassador Sun Heping served in the Chinese Embassy in Philipines and Sudan. He also served in the Asian and Personnel Departments of Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Sun Heping,52, spoke to KESHAB POUDEL on various issues related to Nepal-China relations. Excerpts:

Your assignment to Nepal has come at a time when the country is standing at the cross roads and needs unstinted help from good friends like China to tide over the problems she is facing. How do you view your assignment to Nepal at this critical juncture?

China and Nepal are amicable neighbors linked by strings of mountains and rivers, and friendly interactions between the two peoples can be traced back to ancient times. I feel very much delighted to be accredited as Chinese Ambassador to the Kingdom of Nepal, such a friendly neighboring country. Over the past 6 weeks since I assumed office, I have deeply sensed the Nepali people’s profound and friendly sentiments toward China. During my tenure of office, I will push forward the all-around development of the 21st century oriented China-Nepal generation to generation friendly partnership by succeeding to the friendship cause undertaken by my predecessors.

The Nepali people are convinced beyond a ray of doubt that China is a good and dependable friend of and has always assured Nepal to come to her rescue if her sovereignty is threatened. How do you view the situation in Nepal at the moment?

As a friendly neighbor of Nepal, China is always concerned about the development of the domestic situation in Nepal. We hold that the problems now faced by Nepal are the internal affairs of Nepal, and we believe that Nepal have full capability and wisdom to solve its own problems and make earlier restoration of peace, stability and economic development. China supports the efforts taken by His Majesty King Gyanendra and His Majesty’s Government to restore peace and stability in Nepal, and will continue to provide assistance to Nepal on the premise of not interfering with Nepal’s internal affairs.

China has, once again, reaffirmed her commitment to fight terrorism very recently. How will your government help Nepal to subdue Maoist terrorism, if needed?

China resolutely opposes any forms of terrorism. We strongly denounce the violent activities targeting civilians and civil infrastructure, and oppose any actions obstructing the efforts to restore peace and stability in Nepal. The stability in Nepal is not only in the interests of Nepal and its people, but also conducive to the peace and stability of the South Asian region.

Nepal has an adverse trade balance with China which must be corrected by increasing Nepali exports to China. Two years back, the Chinese Premier had offered preferential treatment to certain items of Nepali exports. In what way, do you think, Nepal has benefited?

The Chinese side gives much attention to the bilateral trade imbalance and is adopting positive measures to solve this problem. My view is that only by increasing Nepal’s export to China can not effectively bridge the trade gap, because Nepal now can provide very few products competitive and suitable for China’s market. Here, I would like to make the following suggestions for the proper settlement of bilateral trade imbalance step by step: (a) the two governments strengthen their supports for the China-Nepal Non-Government Cooperation Forum and the China Tibet-Nepal Economic and Trade Fair, and encourage these two channels to play positive role in promoting the bilateral trade and economic cooperation; (b) China will encourage its enterprises with good reputation and strength to make investment and open factories in Nepal, and (c) expand the bilateral cooperation in tourism, and attract more Chinese tourists to Nepal.

China has enunciated certain policies to encourage tourism between the two countries, which can boost Nepali’s economy to a great extent. What kind of role, do you think, the recent air agreement will play to increase the volume of tourism?

In August, Hon. Mr. Shukla, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Aviation, visited China and signed with the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China the Air Service Agreement, which is another major step taken by both sides to enhance the bilateral cooperation in tourism. As per the Agreement, the airlines operating between the two countries will increase to 14 flights weekly from the present 7. That will further facilitate people’s exchanges and cooperation in tourism between China and Nepal. At present, the arrivals of Chinese tourists in Nepal occupy a small portion of the total arrivals of foreign tourists, but it has kept the momentum of annul increase. I am confident that, with the improving of Nepal’s security situation as well as Chinese citizen’s knowledge about Nepal’s tourism, there will be more and more Chinese tourists traveling to Nepal.

What is happening to the hospital project that Chinese P.M. Zhu Rongji had offered to Nepal two years back?

In May 2001 when Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji visited Nepal, the two sides signed an agreement on the project of a civil servant hospital constructed under the China’s economic assistance. Since then, the Chinese side has always pushed forward this project with a positive attitude. According to my knowledge, the project has now entered the phase of prospecting.

What is the present position of Rasuwa-Syaphrubesi road project?

The project of Syafrubesi-Rasuwagadhi Road is another important linkage between the two countries after the Arniko Highway. China attaches great importance to this project, but affected by the security situation here, the prospecting work has not been started so far. The Chinese side is now positively considering sending a surveying team as soon as possible.

Nepal as a land-locked country has always been facing great hurdles and bottlenecks in the development of her international trade. Hence needs urgently an alternative route. Do you think the proposed rail project to Tibet could be extended to link Nepal also?

The completion of Qinghai-Tibet Railway will further strengthen Tibet’s connection with inner areas of China and enrich Tibet’s commodity market. In the mean time, it will also benefit the border trade between China and Nepal. As for whether or not this railway is extended to Nepal, it concerns economic as well as very complicated technical questions. However, in my personal point of view, such a possibility could not be ruled out with the development of both economies.

After the restoration of democracy all the governments that came to power in Nepal has liquidated the Chinese aid industries in Nepal. How does China view this policy and would it affect China’s future aid policy in the industrialization in Nepal?

China has been providing economic assistance to Nepal within its capability in the past years. The assistance is completely out of the sincere wishes to help Nepal develop its economy and enhance its people’s living standard, without imposing any additional conditions. It is sorry and regrettable that some of the enterprises assisted by China went bankrupt due to improper management and various other reasons, but it will not affect China’s economic assistance to Nepal. We will consult with relevant Nepalese departments and identify proper projects for investment.

What’s China’s future aid policy to Nepal? In what areas would China like to get involved?

As a friendly neighbor of Nepal, China will continue to provide assistance and support for Nepal’s endeavor of development and prosperity. In the future, China will take a positive part in the infrastructure construction in Nepal, and our focus will be put on improving the living standard of the people in poverty-stricken areas.

Do you see any possibility of Nepal selling her hydropower to Nepal? Is there any possibility of China financing Nepal’s hydel projects?

Nepal is abundant in hydropower resources. In 1980s, China had ever helped building lots of small or medium hydropower facilities for Nepal, which addressed the issue of Nepal’s power supply to the great extend. Even now, some Chinese companies are still undertaking or bidding for hydropower projects in Nepal. Whether or not China purchases electricity from Nepal will be decided by the demand of the market.

Certain media reports have asserted that China has changed her stance of Sikkim. If the reports are true and correct, what has induced China to change her stance?

The question of Sikkim is a question left over from history. History should be respected and practical factors on this question be taken into consideration. We hope that it will be gradually solved with the development of the relations between China and India.

With no contiguous boundary with Bhutan, Nepal has been saddled with over one hundred thousand Bhutanese refugees for more than a decade. Since bilateral discussions have failed to resolve the issue, how do you think this problem should be settled?

Both Nepal and Bhutan are amicable neighbors of China. We hope the two sides could continue their patient consultations and negotiation, and find a proper settlement for this problem eventually.

All the smaller countries of the SAARC think China’s participation in the organization would benefit the whole region. What do you think?

China keeps traditional friendly relations and cooperation with all SAARC member countries. In the current trend of rapid development of integrated regional economy, China is willing to conduct mutual-beneficial cooperation with SAARC and promote the common developments of the South Asian region.

In the backdrop of the unilateral invasion of Iraq by the United States and her allies, do you think the United Nations is losing its utility?

I think that in light of the current situation, UN still serves as the best channel and platform where countries, big or small, can consult and exchange views with each other. The role of UN should be strengthened rather than weakened.

How do you assess the recent WTO conference at Cancun? The developing countries look up to China for safeguarding their interests. Any comment?

It is regrettable that the meeting failed to reach an agreement on how to promote further negotiations. But the Doha Declarations and Decisions will continue to be pursued. China stands ready to work with other members for new round of talks and the development of multi-lateral trade system.

I would like to stress that the real interests of developing members haven’t been effectively addressed. New round of talks must earnestly realize the theme of development so as to enable the multi-lateral trade system to develop in a balanced manner. Discussions of new agenda must take into consideration the specific situation of various members, especially the real difficulties and position of the developing members. Their concerns must be given top priority and the special concerns of new members must be effectively addressed so as to put into reality WTO’s principle of fairness and impartiality.