APD Review | China-Nepal relations entering new era

By APD writer Xu Liang

President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Nepal will open a new chapter in age-old bilateral friendly relations. People of both the countries are looking forward to further strengthen relation between China and Nepal. The friendship between China and Nepal is often considered to be as high as the Himalayas. Nepal is a beautiful country in South Asia. China has always attached great importance to its relationship with Nepal.

The age-old friendly relation between China and Nepal has remained always cordial and stable.

Nepal and China’s spiritual connections and friendly contacts were not only linked by the religious attachments but also widened by explorations, matrimonial ties and cultural exchanges in the following the early 5th century Buddha Bhadra- Fa Xian period. Xuan Zhang, a famous Chinese traveler, visited Lumbini and probably to Kathmandu, in the 7th century. His travelogue explains the life and economy of Kathmandu at that time. A magnificent palace mentioned in his travelogue called Kailashkut is still a subject to explore by the archaeologists. His voyage to South Asia during the pre-medieval time greatly helped exchange cultural values and philosophies of each other. Now, the travel writings of Xuan Zang have been a main source of then history of Nepal. In many temples in Tibet, you can also see traces of the influence of Nepalese art. These are rarely known and learned by contemporary Chinese.

During the Tang Dynasty of China, the Nepalese princess got married with the Zanpu of Tubo Srongtsen Gampo, who claimed to be the “nephew” of then emperor of the Tang Dynasty, which further pushed forward the Sino-Nepalese relationship. Wang Xuan Ce has made three trips to the Kathmandu Valley.

During the Yuan Dynasty, the famous craftsman Arniko came to China to supervise the building of White Pagoda Temple. Arniko’s footprint reached beyond Beijing. These monumental figures are highly honored forever. Then Indian Prime Minister Nehru once blamed China for outpacing India in Nepal. It showed the India’s wrong attitude towards China-Nepal healthy relationship.

The friendly relations between the Chinese and Nepalese peoples have continued to develop. There was frequent bilateral exchange of visits at the top level between China and Nepal despite India’s dissatisfaction in the past. Late King Birendra visited China for at least ten times. Premier Zhou Enlai visited Nepal twice and tried his best to help Nepal.

Nepal’s Late King Birendra

Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping had also visited Nepal. On September 27, 1978, Deng proposed the idea of ending the dispute on the Sino-Indian border while discussing with Nepalese leaders.

At the end of 1996, during Jiang Zemin’s visit to Nepal, the two countries decided to establish a good-neighborly partnership of generations towards the 21st century. The concept of good neighbors and partners was floated at that time. China has been supporting Nepal during the difficult periods.

In this 21st century, Sino-Nepalese friendship has set an example of cooperation between the countries having different political system and size. Nepal has been taking part actively in several events hosted by China including Nepal Culture Festival, China-South Asia Expo, Tibet Tourism Culture International Expo, Boao Forum for Asia, Eurasian Economic Forum, the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, the Western International Expo, and the Xiangshan Forum.

China provided fuel and relief support to Nepal during the Indian blockade and massive earthquake in 2015.

The mutual help and relief between the two countries are reflected in all aspects, which is far more than the diplomatic rhetoric of “China will provide as much help as possible to promote Nepal’s economic and social development.”

Currently, China-Nepal relations have ushered to a new era. With political stability, Nepal is actively engaged in the Belt and Road Initiative, and speaks up for China in international forums despite India’s objections.

These sound internal and external factors have injected new vitality to Nepal’s economic development and laid a firmer foundation for the development of China-Nepal relations. “One day, I will be in the waves in full speed, to show my own aspirations. Hanging my sailcloth up, going across the sea, I will achieve my dream”. Maybe just like this ancient Chinese poetry, the future China-Nepal relations will reach new heights surpassing Everest.

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About the Author: Xu Liang, an associate professor of the School of International Relations of the Beijing International Studies University, a researcher at the China Belt and Road Institute of Strategic Studies, and a visiting scholar at the University of Iowa, USA

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)