Hiranya Lal Shrestha

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s sojourn of South Asia in October 2019 has bought China and the region closer. His successful Nepal’s state visit on October 12-13 took the friendship between the two countries to a new height. Nepal government leaders, leaders of opposition parties and people from different walks of life extended a warm welcome to Xi. His commitment to help turn “landlocked Nepal” into a “land-linked country” by boosting connectivity between two the countries deeply impressed the Nepali people.
The Nepal-China joint stated that the leaders of the two countries reached broad understanding through in-depth exchange of views on belated relationship and regional and international issues of common concern. Nepal and China have taken the Belt and Road Initiative as an important opportunity to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields in a comprehensive manner, jointly pursue common prosperity and dedicate themselves to maintain peace, stability, and development in the region.
Nepal and China agreed to respect each other’s’ independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, respect each other's concerns and core interests, and the two sides will advance to good neighboring policy for deeper cooperation for a win-win results. Meanwhile, Nepal reiterated its firm commitment to "One China" policy and expressed determination not to allow any anti-China activities on its soil.
China congratulated Nepal on the epoch-making political transformation and the rapid economic and social development. It believed that the Nepali people would unite as one and keep marching towards the vision of “Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali”.
Nepal has high regards for China’s miraculous achievement in development over the past 70 years and sincerely wished that under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese characteristics for a New Era, the Chinese people would keep striving to realise the two-century goals to build China a great modern socialist country that is prosperous strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful.
Chinese President Xi Jinping wrapped up his two-day state visit with the signing of 18 memorandums of understanding and two letters of intent. The major pacts include the MOU on the feasibility study of China-Nepal cross-border railway project and on tunnels construction cooperation. President Xi said that a feasibility study of the trans-Himalayan railway would start immediately and China would support the construction of Kerung-Kathmandu tunnel road.
Nepal and China also signed the agreement on the boundary management system. MOU on the exchanges and cooperation on government capacity building and treaty between Nepal and China on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, Nepal- China Border Agreement was concluded between two- countries on October 5, 1961. This time they concluded Boundary management Agreement with contributing to keep our boundary stable, peaceful and free from separatist and criminal activities.
The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in various fields of the economy including trade, tourism, and investment capacity of production and improving people's livelihood so as to promote mutual development.
Nepal will facilitate Chinese banks to open their branches and other financial services in Nepal. The two countries will implement Nepal-China cooperation in energy sector, to carry out exchanges and cooperation in the fields of hydropower, wind power, solar power and biomass energy.
The two sides agreed to promote exchanges and cooperation in education, culture tourism, traditional medicine, media, think-tanks and youth at different levels. Chinese support to make "Visit Nepal Year 2020", is also significant in the tourism sector. Lumbini and Kailash/Mansarobar are tourist destinations of global importance.
The decision to the establish Nepali consulate general office in Chengdu is significant because of Chengdu’s importance in developing as a hub of BRI, Trans-Himalayan corridor linking China and South Asia.
During interaction with CPN, President Xi stressed the importance of integrity and good governance with the Communist party to run the government and advised them to work towards fulfilling the aspirations of the people.
While meeting with main opposition NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, president Xi recalled a good relationship between two parties since B.P Koirala in the 1960s. He invited Deuba to visit China in his convenient time. Both the ruling and opposition parties of Nepal are happy with President Xi.
China has common land borders with five South Asian countries- Afganistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bhutan. Sri Lanka and the Maldives is linked with China via 21st century Maritime Silk Road. China is a dialogue partner of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
President Xi held in-depth talks with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in Beijing and the two leaders decided to consolidate the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Next day President Xi visited Chennai of India and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the second summit of the Wuhan dialogue. They said that if there is a difference, they won’t turn it into dispute and avoid confrontation. To make the 21st century an Asian century, the two leaders felt the need of better cooperation and understanding.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a forum, where China and India are together against terrorism, extremism, and separatism. China also likes to see SAARC reactivated.
Nepal government and political parties demonstrated unity in welcoming Xi. He is conscious of differences of the political systems of China and Nepal. The growing sister city relationship between China and Nepal is also a landmark in developing people to people relations between the two countries.
President Xi’s visit has contributed to cement the age-old and problem-free ties between the two countries. China is a nation of civilisation. His approach towards modernisation with cultural identity is unique and inspiring for Nepal also. It will contribute for Asian civilisation reawakening and solidarity between peoples of the continent.
Nepal is between two big Asian powers India and China. Nepal feels comfortable when these two neighbours cooperate, instead of confront. Wuhan I & II dialogues contributed for a better relationship between these two powers. Development of trilateral cooperation between India, Nepal and China are logical. China and South Asia will be linked more closely through the implementation of the BRI.
(Shrestha is a writer, former ambassador to Russia and former Member of Parliament)