Opportunities Ahead

For the first five decades of diplomatic relations, the two neighbors did not face major irritants in their bilateral ties

By KESHAB POUDEL

For the first five decades of establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China , both the countries have seen many changes in terms of economy and social progress. Thanks to the opening of its economy, China continues to achieve high economic growth rate.

A scene of the highway : Crucial

Despite many ups and downs in international and regional scenario, Nepal ’s relations with China remain similar. Following the establishment of Nepal-China relations five decades ago, both the countries have made all out efforts to respect the sensitivity of each other. This understanding helped flourish the relations between the two.

Although Nepal is a small landlocked country, its geo-strategic location is very important for China - which shares more than 1400 kilometers long mountainous border with Nepal . At a time when China is spending huge amount of money to develop Tibetan Autonomous region, Nepal has lots of opportunities to benefit.

Established under the leadership of King Mahendra and former prime minister B.P. Koirala, King Birendra added new dimension to Nepal-China relations. During his reign, late King Birendra had made significant contribution to smoothen the relations between the two countries.

After the restoration of democracy in 1990, China maintained its relations with all major legitimate political parties of Nepal . From Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala to former prime minister Sher Bahdur Deuba, and from Surya Bahadur Thapa to CPN-UML leaders including Madhav Kumar Nepal and president of Nepal Sadvabana Party late Gajendra Narayan Singh, all of them were invited to China at different times.

Unfortunately, Nepal is yet to take any concrete step to tap the goodwill. As there is only one road – Kodari Highway linking Nepal with Tibet , it is gradually becoming inadequate to meet the growing trade needs between the two countries. For the last two decades, the government of Nepal has not shown any interest to repair it.

The agreement signed to build another road through Syaphrubeshi of Dhunche is yet to be implemented. Chinese side has already completed the initial works. Planning Survey and Design Institute of Tibetan Autonomous Region has already completed its work but the work of Nepalese side is in progress. In the course of five years since the agreement was signed between then prime minister of Nepal Girija Prasad Koirala and then Chinese prime minister Zhu Rongji, Nepal has seen four governments headed by Sher Bahadur Deuba, Lokendra Bahadur Chand, Surya Bahadur Thapa and Sher Bahadur Deuba.

Although the road is said to be easier and shorter to connect the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China, it seems that it has to go a long way to begin construction works. Unlike the China of five decades ago, today’s China has improved its clout throughout the world and Nepal can gain from the strength of Nepal ’s northern neighbor. “ China is developing itself as an increasingly active player. Its economic as well as political clout is on the rise; as it is already a member of the WTO; it has growing linkage with G-8; and it is gradually developing itself as a donor,” writes Hira Bahadur Thapa in his article on Economic Dimension of Nepal-China Relations.

Nepal ’s trade with China increased by many folds in recent years. Although the road is frequently closed down for days and weeks by insurgents, it did not make any impact on the volume of trade between the two countries. In his recent statement to a reception held to commemorate five decades of establishment of Nepal-China relations, second vice chairman of the cabinet Kirti Nidhi Bista stressed the need to expand the trade and economic relations between the two countries.

However, a budget presented by the finance minister Madhukar Shumsher Rana imposed additional taxes on the import of Chinese good. In response to additional taxes, Nepalese traders declined to import the goods through Kodari custom. The trade between two countries is virtually in standstill for many days.

Following the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between Nepal and China back in 1955, Nepal has seen many political upheavals. There were three Kings and three different political systems. Whatever the political changes occurred in Nepal and whoever came to the power, Nepal ’s relations with China remained cordial.

B.P. Koirala - who signed Nepal China border agreement - was first democratically elected prime minister to visit China . After Koirala’s visit to China , Nepal showed its commitment to handle its foreign policy as a sovereign and independent nation.

B.P. Koirala and Zhou En-lai signed an agreement on April 28,1960 expressing commitment to pursue a policy of good neighborliness respecting each other’s independence and sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Signing the border agreement with China in 1963, King Mahendra gave high priority to strengthen the traditional relations between the two countries. Although the episode of Khampas who set camps and tried to destabilize Tibetan Autonomous region back in 1970s emerged as a problem briefly, the basic tenets of Nepal-China security issues, which are to maintain a peaceful and stable border, not to allow activities in the territory of one country against other, remained intact.

Although it shares more than 1400 kilometers in its northern mountainous region as border with Tibetan Autonomous Region of China, Nepal does not have any border dispute with China . In the process of Nepal ’s modernization, China helped Nepal in building infrastructures like highways, power plant and industries.

On August 1, 2005, King Gyanendra, in a message to Chinese President Hu Jintao on the occasion of the 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China, said, “It is a matter of great satisfaction that our relations are marked by mutual respect and understanding in an atmosphere of mutual trust and friendship.” Likewise, Chinese President Hu Jintao, in his congratulatory message to the King, said, “For 50 years since the diplomatic ties were established, China-Nepal relations have stood the test of changes of international vicissitudes, and made steady headways.”

The president has stated China wants to “consistently consolidate and strengthen China-Nepal good neighborly and cooperative relations on the basis of five principles of peaceful co-existence. It is not only in line with fundamental interests of the two countries, but also conducive to peace, stability and development in South Asia .”

The tone in the language used by the two leaders appear very much positive and promising so far as the future cooperation between the two countries is concerned.

As China is spending huge money in the development of Tibetan Autonomous Region linking railway to Lhasa and other Chinese cities, Nepal can enjoy lots of economic benefits in future. That is what should guide the bilateral relations of the two countries for the next five decades.