Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Nepal-China Economic Cooperation: Himalayan Heights To Conquer

-Rajendra Kumar Khetan, CNI Vice President, Nepal

As Nepal and China mark the golden jubilee year of establishment of diplomatic relations, it is the right time to stop and ponder over our achievements and shortcomings in enhancing the bilateral ties particularly in the economic sector.

Just as the Himalayas separate the two countries, there are Himalayan heights of differences between the potentials and realities of the two countries as far as economic relations between Nepal and China is concerned.

It is only a matter of time before China becomes a global economic powerhouse also by joining G8. Given the tremendous pace of growth she has been consistently registering over the last decade and a half, the double-digit growth fueled by adoption of sophisticated technology and wide base of human resources have ensured that China remains on a firm trajectory towards prosperity.

At a time when global pundits have been predicting worldwide positive impact of China's growth, it is natural to expect that Nepal, too, could piggyback on the progress of its giant northern neighbor for its own prosperity.

In an era where physical barriers are increasingly becoming irrelevant, the tough terrain that divides the two countries and, which largely has been responsible in holding back the growth in bilateral economic ties for so long, can now be overcome.

As we step into another phase of our bilateral relations, may I appeal to the leaders of both the countries to seize the moment for the mutual benefit of peoples of the two countries?

When Nepal and China established their diplomatic relations in August 1 of 1955, the world was vastly different. China was just beginning to grow its economic base; the world was entrenched and divided in Cold War politics; while the South Asian region itself was torn apart by strife, war and instability. The next fifty years saw China rise from a state of old civilization to a dynamic nation brimming with people and moving full-throttle towards the path of prosperity even as most countries in South Asia are still unable to free themselves from the shackles of poverty and mis-governance. Nepal has also been unable to develop economically as millions of its populations continue to languish in absolute poverty.

As such, it is now up to the young and dynamic business leaders of the two countries to take advantage of the excellent bilateral relations subsisting between Nepal and China and cash it to bring in prosperity to the teeming millions of people.

Even as we harp on the potentials and opportunities, it would be pertinent to reflect upon the existing scenario of Nepal-China bilateral trade and economic ties. Our trade deficit with China is huge and growing. In the fiscal year 2003/04, we exported goods worth Rs 117.49 million while we imported goods to the tune of Rs 5.4 billion from China (excluding Hong Kong) - registering the huge deficit of Rs 5.3 billion. Nepal also had trade deficit of Rs 1.5 billion with Hong Kong. (Nepal Overseas Trade Statistics 2003/04 published by Trade Promotion Center) '

Such heavily tilted trade deficit situation is not in the interest of either neighbor. For a poor country like Nepal, it is almost unbearable. Here, we urge not only the government of Nepal but also the Chinese government to look into the situation and formulate policies that enhance Nepal's export capacity.

The Nepalese business leaders are excited with the news that Chinese government is working hard to bring in train services up to Lhasa by 2006 linking the mainland China with the Tibetan Autonomous Region -with which Nepal has had traditional trade linkages.

The linkage of Mainland China by railway could mean easier and deeper access for Nepalese goods into the vast Chinese market. The growing prosperity in Tibet, too, could have spin-off effect on the bordering northern region of Nepal that are poor and backward even by Nepalese standards. The possibilities of using roads in Tibetan side to move from north-western region to north-eastern region of Nepal hold immense promises as we do not see good transport infrastructures coming up to link these areas in foreseeable future because of the extremely difficult terrain there.

We are also keen to take advantage of growing prosperity of China and India by offering to work as bridge or transit economy. Here, given our poor base and expertise, we would also like to seek Chinese help in the construction of border, transport and other infrastructure. Though it may not be the priority of the Chinese or Indian government, we would like to have Chinese help in this regard in the spirit of good neighborly relations the two countries have enjoyed since time immemorial.

It is reasonable here to wonder if Nepal also can replicate the success of China's industrialization process and create some kind of industrial hub like Pudong valley in the neighborhood of mega-city, Shanghai in China. Such one-stop pockets of industrial bases could be good idea to push faster the industrialization of Nepal.

There are immense opportunities to expand the existing tourism exchanges. Places like Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in Tibet are major attractions for not only adventure-seeking tourists but also for the Hindu pilgrims. Thousands of tourists and pilgrims have been visiting these places via Nepal. More systematic management of this route could help Nepalese tourism entrepreneurs.

The government of China has already included Nepal in its list for Outbound Tourist Destinations. But this move has not been able to bring in the desired number of Chinese tourists in Nepal. Although, the primary reason for this might lie on our internal problems, stronger ties between the tour operators of the two countries could help overcome this situation.

And then there is another important aspect of expanding trade ties and investment from China. The Chinese investors could use the preferential trade arrangement that Nepal and India have. Nepal needs FDI to reduce poverty and sustain economic development.

India and China both are members of the Bangkok Agreement. Nepal is already an observer of the trading bloc and has applied for its membership. We hope this trading bloc will further widen the scope for developing bilateral trade ties.

Looking at the development E.U. has achieved and to stand competitive in front of other global and regional trade forces, it is high time that SAARC, BIMSTEC, AFTA of ASEAN and or Bangkok Agreement within and among all stand united.

Nepal and China are fortunate to enjoy problem-free relations for the past five decades. The political relations between the two neighbors are excellent. But one cannot say the same thing about the economic relations. Nepal has benefited a lot from Chinese cooperation in many sectors like infrastructure development. But the coming century will definitely belong to trade and not aid.

Therefore, it would be prudent here to draw the attention of leaders of both the countries to deepen mutually beneficial economic relations so that when we gather again to celebrate 100 years of our relations, we could be satisfied with our prosperity and economic progress as well. Nepal has always been a good friend to China and vice-versa. Now is the time to translate the friendship into tangible economic benefits so that the two countries could continue to play positive role in consolidating peace and prosperity in the entire South Asian region in the years ahead.

The Tibet issue is one related to the sovereignty and integrity of China

- Sun Heping , Ambassador, Republic of China in Nepal

China enjoys sound economic and trade cooperation with Nepal. Nepal is one of the first groups of counties China has provided with aid. Since 1956, China has rendered the Nepalese government 77 sums of aid, all free, with the total amount close to RBM 1.5 billon. With the help of this financial assistance, 30 whole plants have been undertaken, with 25 of them built, one being built and 4 to be built. They are mainly highways, brick-kilns, paper mills, hospitals, hydro-power stations, textile plants, tanneries, irrigation projects, sugar refineries and international conference house.

The economic assistance to Nepal China has been providing within its capability over the past years is completely from the sincere wishes to help Nepal develop its economy and enhance its people's living standard, without imposing any conditions.

The bilateral trade volume has been maintained at a relatively high level, and the cooperation in joint ventures, joint management, contracted engineering and infrastructure works has been growing rapidly. According to the statistics by the Customs of China, the total trade volume of 2003 was USD127 million, an increase of 12% comparing with the same period last year. The Chinese investment in Nepal exceeds USD 30 million while Nepalese investment in China is above USD 5 million.

During the visit of Chairman Jia Qinglin of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in December 2003, our two countries signed the two agreements on the economic and technological cooperation and opening another two pairs of trading points along the border between China and Nepal.

On April 1, 2004, a 20-member survey group from China went to the site of the long-due Syfrubesi-Rasuwagadi Highway Project for conducting an extensive study and designing of a highway that will be the second important road link between Nepal and China, and its construction work could be started within one year if everything goes on smoothly.

Two months ago, Nepal's Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation organized an interaction program with the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu on how to promote mutual tourism. The program was successful with the participation of 15 traveling agencies and 11 media groups from China. These Chinese traveling agencies are very interested in Nepal's tourist market and plan to organize at least one package tour per week after going back to China.

Furthermore, China's fast development, especially the modernization drive in Tibet Autonomous Region would bring benefit to Nepal. For example, the completion of Qinghai-Lhasa railway in 2006 will greatly enrich the Tibet's commodity market and facilitate Chinese-Nepal trade as well.

IV. Tibet issue

I would like to take this opportunity to refer to the Tibet issue, which is China's major concern in Nepal. We appreciate it very much that His Majesty's Government of Nepal is committed to the one China policy, understands how sensitive the Tibet issue is to China and never allow any anti-China activities to be carried out on Nepali soil.

The Tibet issue is one related to the sovereignty and integrity of China. Since it was officially incorporated into the domain of China's Yuan Dynasty in the mid-13th century,

Tibet has been under the jurisdiction of China's Central government as an inalienable part of Chinese territory. The external forces, however have never stopped instigating Tibetan Independence since the beginning of the 20th century. With the support of foreign anti-China forces, Dalai Clique's separatists have been engaged in numerous activities to split the motherland.  

In September 1960, the Dalai clique re-organized the "religion guards of the four rivers and six ranges'' in Mustang, Nepal, which carried on military harassment activities and violence along the Chinese border for ten years. There are no more Kampas who were disarmed by the Nepalese government in the 1970s, but in its place is the free Tibet movement advocating Tibet independence. Together with this movement, Dalai's representative's office and reception station in Kathmandu, and Tibetan extremists have never stop anti-China activities by destabilizing and attempting to separate Tibet from China.

China's position on the Dalai question is clear-cut and repeated on many occasions. The door of dialogue with Dalai is always open. At the same time we request that Dalai renounce its attempts for Tibet independence, acknowledge that Tibet is an inalienable part of China. Taiwan is a province of China and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government of China.

However, Tibetan separatists and pro-Dalai external forces use the question of Tibetan illegal immigrants as a ploy against China. With neglecting China's opposition and Nepalese law, some external forces granted these illegal immigrants a status of refugees, put pressure on the Nepalese government not to repatriate them back to China and criticize China for the so-called human rights violations and political and religious persecution.

They have misconceptions on the human rights issue when they refer to China.  They think China dose not pay enough attention to human rights. So whenever the human rights issue is mentioned, the Chinese government might feel weak inside. This is a big mistake. The matter of the fact is that the Chinese government has always put the interests of the people above everything else, and regarded people's health, right to enjoy democracy and their political rights as the top priority.

 Author's speech made on China's Foreign Policy in South Asia last year on May 28, 2004 in Kathmandu-ed)

Ambassador Moriarty Remarks to the Nepal Council of World Affairs Tuesday August 9, 2005

Today, in the spirit of the long friendship Nepal and the United States have enjoyed, I want to talk about two concepts that I think are absolutely vital for Nepal at this point in its history: democracy and reconciliation. Before I do so, however, I would like to explain why my country, the United States, has the temerity to speak out on issues such as this.

In his second inaugural address, President George W. Bush declared that the United States "will persistently clarify the choice before every ruler and every nation: The moral choice between oppression, which is always wrong, and freedom, which is eternally right."

Freedom, my friends, is the cornerstone of America's engagement with the world at this crucial moment in our history. It is also the cornerstone of our engagement with Nepal at this crucial moment in your history.

Freedom, civil rights, and democracy-these are principles upon which my nation was founded. They are principles we live by today. They are principles we hold dear for our future. As my president's personal representative to Nepal, I believe they are principles essential to the future of your country as well.

Nepal today is at a cross-roads: Unless the principles of freedom, civil rights, and democracy once again take root through a process of true reconciliation among the legitimate political forces, I fear that your country will inexorably slide toward confrontation, confusion, and chaos. The continuing divisions between the Palace and the political parties aid only the Maoists and their plans to turn Nepal into a brutal and anachronistic state.

I get asked all the time why the United States is so keenly interested in Nepal. This coming year the U.S. government will provide more than $44 million in bilateral developmental assistance-for health programs, good governance, and hydropower; for victims of conflict and to support democracy and peace. This support is proof positive of our continuing support for Nepal, but what drives that support?

Our concern over regional stability is of course one factor. With a violent, ideological Maoist insurgency desiring to take over the state and then to export its revolution to peaceful neighbors, there is much to worry about. But our other concern is something that my President has in fact pinned his second term on: freedom. As a nation defined by both liberty and democracy, the United States wishes to see the expansion of both around the world. We believe freedom is a birthright of all people and that a rights-based democracy is the best way to balance majority desires and minority protections.

In your 12 years of active democracy, Nepal achieved much to be proud of. Literacy rates improved, roads were built, development accelerated, foreign investment went up, and people had a voice through elections. Young democracies, however, never sail on calm seas. Undeniably, there was corruption and faltering policies and chaos in your political institutions. But that happens in every young democracy. Look at my own country in its first few decades of democracy. Things were surely chaotic. We know how challenging it can be to develop democratic institutions, but Nepal was working through those challenges before 2002.

In fact, Nepal could well be just one of many newly developing democracies around the world -- struggling, but slowly creating a new democratic space -- if it were not for one thing: the Maoist insurgency.

Some have painted the insurgents as a group of socialists who just want to give more rights to the downtrodden and to get the government to pay attention to rural peoples and social justice. Such goals are laudable, but other political parties are addressing them without violent tactics. We hope that one day the Maoists too will become part of the political mainstream and give up arms, but for now their own words and actions say otherwise. They want to collectivize agriculture -- a recipe for mass starvation. They want to re-educate class enemies -- a plan to wipe out educated, free-thinking people. They want to export their revolution -- a war that would threaten all of South Asia.

We can never forget that we are dealing with ideologues who have all the violent hallmarks of Stalin, Mao, and Pol Pot and who continue to insist on the righteousness of their armed struggle. Theirs would not be a regime of benevolent socialism. It would be an authoritarian assault on all free Nepalis. Every day the Maoists assail democracy itself through attacks on political party workers, local government offices, journalists, human rights workers, and other innocent civilians who want nothing more than peace. The Maoists have done nothing to indicate that they are prepared to change, and they do not abide by democracy. Their actions speak louder than their words. Let us not forget that the Maoists have used force and the threat of force to prevent elections from being held in Nepal since 1999. And absent elections, there can be no functioning democracy.

Nepal's legitimate political parties also must bear some of the responsibility for resolving the crisis currently confronting the country. While they were in power, the parties were seen by many Nepalis as squabbling tribes who put partisan and personal interest above the needs of the country. Out of power, the parties have taken few steps to address their shortcomings, including corruption, nepotism, lack of intra-party democracy, and lack of transparency. Until they effectively address these shortcomings, the parties will not be able to win back the trust and confidence of many Nepalis. But the shortcomings of individual parties do not mean that democracy cannot work in Nepal. Instead, it only underscores the need for elections, and functioning democracy, so that the people of Nepal can sit in judgment on their would-be leaders.

Clearly, the actions of February 1 represented a big step back from democracy. While we saw some progress in April and May with the release of most political detainees and an end to the formal state of emergency, since then we have seen little movement toward the Government's own stated goal of multiparty democracy. On paper, the Government's four-point plan is laudable, including as it does cleaning up corruption, attacking terrorism, imposing fiscal discipline, and ensuring good governance.

Yet how can the government say it is imposing fiscal discipline when two of its ministers are loan defaulters? How can the government say it is serious about fighting corruption when it willfully ignores the Asian Development Bank's own report regarding the alleged corruption by former Prime Minister Deuba? How can the government say it is operating with good governance under the rule of law when the extra judicial RCCC's recent verdict looks more like a political vendetta than a serious exercise of judicial authority and when people who exercise their constitutional right to freedom of expression are imprisoned for sedition?

Six months after the imposition of direct rule on February l, with a questionable cabinet full of Panchayat-era politicians and even a convicted criminal, the government seems to have gone back on its own core principles. If the Palace is serious about its commitment to democracy, it must act so in both word and deed.

We call on the Government to restore all civil liberties, including freedom of the media and freedom of personal expression. We call on the government to release all political detainees. We call on the Palace to reach out to the political parties with sincere proposals that reflect their common agenda of multi-party democracy and constitutional monarchy and a return to full electoral democracy.

For their part, the political parties must keep an open mind and accept a hand, if offered. That doesn't mean accepting everything the government says at face value, but it does mean being willing to negotiate in good faith to find a solution to Nepal's problems. The common minimum program by the seven parties is a good start -- we are pleased they are working together in a broad coalition. But obviously an eighth actor needs to be included, if Nepal is to progress -- the Palace. The parties should make clear that they are ready to discuss all ideas in order to find a common path forward to a functioning democracy. That's what political parties do. They compromise, they discuss, they form coalitions, they work together to create policies and governments that fulfill the will of the people.

The people want reconciliation. They want peace. The way to achieve peace is with a democratic government united against the Maoist assault on Nepal.

One thing people never seem to talk about is democracy itself and what kind of democracy Nepal wants. The 1990 constitution was groundbreaking, and it functioned fairly well for 12 years. The goal is to get back to such a functioning democracy. Implicitly that means elections. Democracy is of the people, by the people, and for the people. Democracy is elected government. Democracy is vibrant political parties and free political discourse. How can Nepal get back to that? That is for Nepalis to decide.

But you won't get there without all the legitimate political forces on board -- that means the parties and the Palace.

For the sake of Nepal's children -- your children -- the children caught in the conflict outside Kathmandu, the children who now carry guns, the children who only want education and jobs and a peaceful future, the children who will one day grow up to govern this country -- the legitimate political forces should rise above their differences and come up with a plan to work together. Otherwise there may not be a country to govern.

As President Abraham Lincoln famously declared when my own country's existence was threatened by the Civil War: "A house divided against itself cannot stand." These thoughtful words are more than eloquent rhetoric; they are truth. And they ring true here and now. Nepal will not endure if its legitimate political forces are divided. You must act now to preserve your children's future.

To conclude my remarks today, it is not for the United States to say how Nepal should construct its democracy. But we do say unequivocally that you should have it. And urgently so. The time for rhetoric is over. The time for action is now.

Thank you.

Serial Mania

By Jayanti Jha, Kathmandu

Today cable televisions have become the most indispensable part of our life. It seems as if it is among one of the basic need of our life. In Nepalese Context, the serials broadcasted from these cable televisions are successful to attract enormous number of viewers. It has seized our heart and mind. Watching serials is spreading like a disease in people's mind.

To name the TV an "idiot box" will be very appropriate. Housewives watch TV serials on the average 7 hrs a day, out of which they get nothing. It is a big waste of time. They are not realizing that "Time and tide waits for no man." One become spellbound watching serials and forgets everything. They have chained themselves within the boundaries of serials. They kill their valuable time watching television. Their Creativity and skill are not utilized properly. It has left the deep impact in both the heart and mind. They are not able to look after the husband, children and house properly just to see the serials. It doesn't give any moral education to the viewers. After watching such serials one has to engage its mind in unnecessary things. What will happen next? They start judging people with respect to the serials. Comparisons in each and every thing are very high.

Moreover, it is spoiling the career of children. These serials mostly influence children. Children mind is like clay whatever they pick up is mould it in such shape. They learn the things from the environment they live in. Watching such serials destroys their imagination power and creativity. They can't engage their mind in productive and career-oriented things. It has become a sort of addiction in the small children. If they won't see serials then they don't get satisfied even if the parents switch off the television sets they quarrel and do nonsense activities just to see the serials. It has left such deep impact in their mind that even small child of age 5-7; they know what will happen next in the serial? they know more than they should at such age in this matter. Children are misguided because of moving pictures and songs.

These serials has reduced mortality, creativity, dignity, integrity, and impressed the teenagers for inclining themselves towards western culture in the name of modernization. In real, modernization is not complication but simplification. These serials seem to make our life more complex. In current unfavorable circumstances of the country they hardly know what is happening within the country but they know everything of serials.

The serial endanger their thinking power, dull the creative mind and kills the imaginative faculty. It is better to do some creative things by us not to look the things done by others. The serial watching makes the man lazy and passive. We are exposed to such false value and beliefs, as "money is everything." "Happiness is earning and spending" you are not good enough the nature made you, but most dye your hair, eyelashes, nails and other various make ups. The serials teach these all.

Now days in most of the serials it is emphasized in western culture. Imitating exists and everybody wants to be like the character that plays in the serials. Serials are widely become hot topic of gossiping in each and every work place. We can now justify how deep rooted is the serials in our practical life? The most striking thing, which evoked my mood to write about this topic, is when my student of age 5 yrs old told me in school about the incident that happened in the serial in the first period of the class.

There are several serials broadcasted through cable television but each and every serial has the same meaning and the same story. The thing that varies is the character. Most of the serials are fictional rather than factual. Everything is customized in the serials. It looks very vibrant while seeing but when we think deeply about it, we find nothing. In fact, what we find is that the real meaning of marriage has been lost. It seems as if marrying and giving divorce is very common thing. In Hindu culture, marriage has its own definition and it is not easily broken as they show. The image of whole Hindu culture is seen from negative point due to this. Most of the things are shown negatively in a serial, which is hampering our thoughts unconsciously. It is hard to learn good things but easy to pick up bad things.

After watching such serials people don't get the satisfaction. The comments are really very logical, but then also they see it. What's the reason behind it? There are some questions that has been confusing most of all. They see because they want to be modern. To be modern is not bad thing but one should try to be modern from inside as well as outside. If one is modern in just make-ups and costume then it will be imbalanced.

Each and every aspect, all the ceremonies, festivals are becoming very filmy nowadays. The main thing is vanishing. The new norms and values of each and every tradition have been warmly welcomed. It is a matter of great pride who spends much in the ceremonies for decorations and all like serials. Each and every thing is compared with the serials. Even the dress materials are named after the serials and with the character name. We can see that how it has influenced the market as well. Simply, we can say we are fools to waste our time and money for seeing it.