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China’s Nepal engagement tempo steps up; neighbourhood a priority

BanglaBhoot

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KATHMANDU, AUG 18 -

The visit of Zhou Yongkang, a powerful member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of Chinese Communist Party (CPC), to Kathmandu underscores the growing Chinese interest in Nepal’s development. The visit that comes as part of the commemoration of the 90th year of the CPC founding also marks a paradigm shift in Chinese engagement in Asia, especially its neighbourhood.

“The prosperity of China and Asia are closely linked,” Zhou told a gathering of officials and dignitaries on Wednesday evening. “China is developing with the progress of Asia and is willing to contribute to common development of Asia with its own development.”

As soon as a 60-member Chinese delegation arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday, the Chinese side tried to impress the Nepali political and bureaucratic fraternities that it was ready to spend billions on economic development here to help “iron out the uneven development paradigm of Nepal.” Since the establishment of the China-Nepal Comprehensive Partnership of Cooperation in 2009, the Chinese side has been more forthcoming with development assistance. Previous Chinese delegations have complained about lack of willingness or ability to absorb the assistance Beijing wants to extend to Nepal, according Nepali Officials.

“China hopes to share its prosperity and progress with the people of Nepal,” Zhou said.

On Wednesday the two sides signed a $50 million economic and technical cooperation—providing a $24 million soft loan for a hydropower transmission line project and $2.5 million security project meant to enhance the capacities of Nepal Police, besides understanding to provide other concessional loans.

Before embarking on a chartered flight to Kathmandu, Zhou held talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabio—where discussions focused on “ways to help” Nepal in “all possible ways,” Nepali government sources said. More than a dozen Chinese teams have visited Nepal in the past six months, mostly concentrating on Nepal’s economic development.

From the Chinese perspective, security has been a major concern. Towards that end, on a year-to-year basis, China has doubled its annual security aid to Nepal since 2010.

According to officials, China is anxious to expedite the bilateral aid further should the current political transition be over soon.

The recent announcement of loans for the construction of Trishuli A, security aid to Nepal Army, Home Ministry and the proposed US $ 1.6 billion soft loan for the West Seti project are some examples.

“We requested Chinese assistance particularly in the hydropower sector, tourism and infrastructure related projects,” said UML leader Pradip Gyawali, who held a meeting with the delegation.

Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal’s foreign relations advisor Mila Raj Tuladhar said, “China wants to replicate the successful African model in Asia bringing together friendly countries.” Chinese officials including Zhou have said they want to do more.

They want to extend good relations with friendly countries by strengthening good relations but that does not mean

that they are building inroads inside these countries for strategic purposes, Tuladhar said.

Talking to reporters late on Wednesday evening, Assistant Minister of International Department of the CPC, a part of the delegation, said, “Nepal should use the opportunity offered by its two close neighbours—India and China.

Nepal should expand and enhance its relations with China and India on the basis of five principles of peaceful coexistence.”

Zhou, who held the security portfolio in the past, will be visiting more regional capitals to cultivate closer ties in Asia. “They have built huge stakes in Africa which is a successful model in the conduct of international relations. Now they are looking to shift their attention to Asia,” PM’s Advisor Tuladhar said.

China
 
“China hopes to share its prosperity and progress with the people of Nepal,”How a country's leader can say this kind of arrogant words to his host.
 
Hopefully this will help seal the long border with Tibet. Too many Tibetans getting back and forth to from Dharamsala.
Seal the border?You know India-Nepal border is open,and Nepal is more indianized nowadays and that is none of chinese business?
 
Seal the border?You know India-Nepal border is open,and Nepal is more indianized nowadays and that is none of chinese business?

You misunderstood. China has been trying to get more complete Nepalese cooperation on border security (patrolling China Nepal border, extradition of Tibetans). Joint development will help.
 

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