Nepal and China in the 21st Century

September 7, 2006

Special supplement on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and the People's Republic of China and the 40th anniversary of the establishment of Tibet Autonomous Region

BY MADAN REGMI

A great living Chinese scholar Professor Huang Xinchuan underscored in his write up, " China is a close neighbour of Nepal. The geographical contiguity provided by great mountains and rivers has formed a background favorable to the development of long standing historical ties between Nepal and China and the forging of profound neighborly friendship between their people.

The Buddhism as well as the cultural interflow between Nepal and China had taken place as early as over two thousand years ago. Because Sakyamuni Buddha was born in Nepal, his Dharma has prevailed in China as early as in the beginning of Christian era" (from a paper presented at a seminar organized by China Study Center on Nepalese and Chinese Buddhism, Kathmandu, 2003). His account fairly depicts the nature and timing of Nepal-China relationship.

Besides, this relationship being of symbiotic nature, despite of asymmetrical size of our two countries remained complementary to each other's economy and security until most of the parts of South Asia came under the British occupation in the 17th century.

The Anglo-Nepal War (1814-16) which ended by the treaty of Sugauli was a great setback to Nepal's sovereignty. This treaty forced Nepal to cede one-third of its territory. Since then Nepal remained within the bounds of imperial Britain till 1947. Her relationship with China got almost severed to the extent that the British even used their puppet Rana regime to attack China's Tibet.

The fall of the Rana regime in 1950 restored a new political climate. It paved the way to bring Nepal and China close once again. In 1955 during King Mahendra's direct rule, diplomatic ties were established between Nepal and China. Since then this relation is gaining momentum, though marked by occasional difficulties. In this span of fifty years of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, both have helped each other. Nevertheless, paradoxically even after 1950, Nepal continued to be within the bounds of unequal treaties imposed on it by foreign powers which had debarred it form deciding its own destiny.

However, it is gratifying that Nepal-China relationship started to move forward once again from 1955. Mr.Tanka Prasad Acharya was the first Prime Minister of Nepal to pay an official visit to China in post-Rana era of 1956. His visit was highly successful in forging economic and political relation with China. The great statesman of China Premier Zhou Enlai visited Nepal twice. He referred to Nepal-China relationship as being based on blood ties. The relationship between Nepal and China was defined as of great importance by the leaders of both countries. I do not know if history has any importance in the current trend of bilateral relationship which is entirely based on give and take; the two thousand years old relationship has much value to determine the future course of our bilateral relationship!

However, Nepal now being in a, very weak position in actual practice cannot expect to be treated by any powerful nation in equal terms. But China has proved itself as an exception. It has throughout strictly pursued its policy of Panchasheel and non- interference in the internal affairs of another country. Both Nepal and China are parts of ancient civilizations. China is a great nation since more than two thousand years ago. Nepal too has an ancient and glorious history. Till 1900 AD Nepal was the principal entry port of trans- Himalayan trade for over a millennium.^ It was the most powerful nation of South Asia. Nevertheless the imperial Britain succeeded in subduing Nepal and opening trade route from occupied Kalingpong to Nathula of Sikkim and then to the other side of the Himalayas. The British objective was to break the backbone of Nepal's economy and make this country impoverished, so that London could easily recruit "the bravest of the brave", the Nepalese in their

army and use them to control their far flung colonies.

Since then to this day Nepal has not been able to restore its glorious stature which it had prior to the humiliating treaty of 1816 with imperial Britain, but even after 1816 London was apprehensive that Nepal would attack on its colonies of South Asia.

Though the British knew that China's help to Nepal would not be forthcoming, yet dozens of independent South Asian nations were impressed by the valor of Nepal and her effort to lead them against Britain even after 1816.

Nepal-China relationship will be completing fifty years of the establishment of diplomatic ties between them. Within this span of 50 years. Heads of State, Prime Ministers, important personalities and delegations of different natures of both countries have exchanged official and unofficial visits. The last visit of Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji to Nepal was in 2001 at the invitation of the then Nepalese Prime Minister G. P. Koirala. This visit was highly successful. Nepal and China, besides signing half a dozen agreements, could also sign an accord to build another highway (Rasuwa-Syabrubesi) to link Nepal and China. Such an agreement could be signed after thirty nine years of the previous one, that is, the Kathmandu-Kodari highway. The first road agreement was signed between the two countries during King Mahendra's visit to China in September, 1961.

These visits helped sustain and strengthen the age-old China Nepal relations. Reviewing these visits one can barely think that the state of Nepal-China relationship still needs to go a long way in order to be strong. There are still constraints and irritants in our relationship. The presence of illegal immigrants from China's Tibet in Nepal and their separatist activities being launched from the Nepalese soil at the backing of the anti-Chinese international lobby has been a constant sore in Nepal China relations. This major irritant still continues to function covertly or overtly. It is violating our country's rule of law and also our sovereign status. Even in the dawn of the 21st century we have not been able to give priority to our national interest and guard our territorial integrity.

But things have changed so much around us. China has already emerged as a great economic powerhouse of the world. While we are still moving at snail's pace to integrate with her economically.

We Nepalese, however, still find China on our side, in support of our sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. This is the reason why we accolade the great Chinese leaders like late Mao, Zhou, Deng and also the incumbent Chinese leadership, President Hu Jianto and others. It is to be remembered that the architect of modern China, Deng Xiaoping preferred to visit only Nepal among the South Asian nations. Such a preference of Deng emanated from his great knowledge of history and the importance of Nepal China relationship. Thus in 1978 when he was in Kathmandu, he advocated for a comprehensive Nepal-China relationship by suggesting to have people to people, government to government and party to party relations. As I came to know when the Nepalese side was requesting some industries under grant, late Deng was stressing to undertake joint economic ventures. Today every sensible Nepalese realizes that the suggestion of the architect of modern China was timely and

sagacious; it was in the larger interest of Nepal. Nevertheless, Nepal then was having a policy of dichotomy and succumbing to foreign pressure to discourage benefits coming from China's miraculous economic prosperity.

There is no reason for Nepal China relations to lag behind. But, ambivalence was always persistent raising the threat of communist boggy whenever Nepal had a chance to promote ties with China. In reality Nepal-China relationship was throughout based on mutuality and within the parameters of helping each other. China has always been trustworthy, friendly and helpful. Even in its worst days it was helping Nepal economically and politically. It will not be an exaggeration to add that Nepal too has rendered a little bit of assistance to China by supporting China's One China Policy.

Nepal's success in preventing the advancing imperial British from reaching the Himalayas in 1814-16 Anglo-Nepal war, though it was costly for Kathmandu, it provided a strong security crest to China's South-Western region. This is one of the glowing illustrations of how Nepal contributed to China's security. I don't know if the Chinese historians and military strategists have ever acknowledged this part of the history. On the other hand, when China declared through its Foreign Minister Marshal Chenyi, on October 5, 1962 that, in case any foreign army makes a foolhardy attempt to attack Nepal…. China will side with the Nepalese people," the Nepalese people have treasured it in their ever lasting memory. Thus what we observe is that the great Chinese leaders from Chairman Mao, Zhou, Deng Xiaoping and from the Nepalese side from King Mahendra to Tanka Prasad Acharya, B.P. Koirala to King Birendra had consistently contributed to foster Nepal-China relationship. The patriotic

people of both our countries indeed played a key role in maintaining and strengthening bilateral relationship.

Both Nepal and China have many memorable events. If evaluated properly it will give a glimpse of how they have helped each other. The annals of our bilateral relation of last fifty years unequivocally suggest that the initiative to enhance the strength of Nepal-China relationship mostly emanated from the Chinese side. This was well reflected once again when the then Chinese President Jiang Zemin told the visiting Nepalese King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev on 2002-7-10 that, "apart from continuing the traditional practice of top leaders' visits, more exchanges should be encouraged between congresses, political parties, industrial and commercial circles, the press and non governmental organizations from both countries." He was elaborating on what late paramount leader Deng had said in the 1970's. His suggestion was a timely initiative to make Nepal-China friendship really comprehensive and everlasting. The incumbent Chinese leadership is also very friendly towards Nepal.

President Hu Jiantao in particular knows Nepal and the Nepalese intimately, as he also worked in the capacity of the Secretary of the CPC in China's Tibet for nearly two years.

Today China is a major global player and a great economic powerhouse of the world. Nepal though a medium sized nation, has huge natural resources and other potentialities. It is high time we became real economic partner as suggested by the Chinese leaders for the benefit of our countrymen. Nepal rejoices in being China's neighbor for the simple fact that her great northern neighbor China is a peace loving nation.

We have entered the 21st century. China's foreign policy has been largely guided by the twin principles of economic development and security on the basis of give and take. Such two-way relationships are not only sustainable but are also everlasting. Though in terms of market, Nepal doesn't provide as much space as other larger countries the vast untapped natural resources and the geo-political situation provide enough basis for even firmer and more meaningful relations between our two countries. So we can say without any reservation that the prospect of Nepal-China relations is bright.

http://peoplesreview.com.np/2005/040805/detail/c10.html