February 10, 2006

As Nepal ’s internal crisis grows and violence intensifies, the upcoming visit by Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan has great significance

By KESHAB POUDEL

At a time when the violent insurgency has intensified coinciding with deepening political crisis with no sign of immediate solution, Nepal’s two neighbors India and China are keeping a very close watch on the evolving internal situation here. Their concerns are understandable as both of them share a long border with the Himalayan Kingdom and the prolonging instability here could have long-term and short-term security implications to them.

Coming amid this backdrop the proposed visit by Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan could have significant ramifications. He is scheduled to visit the country on February 16-18. He will meet with high-level government officials and political leaders. He is also visiting Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

More than a month after the visit by Indian foreign secretary Shyam Saran, a very high level Chinese delegation led by the State Councilor and former foreign minister Tang Jiaxuan, who is also the advisor to Chinese president Hu Jintao on foreign affairs, is coming to the capital next week.

The visit reportedly will focus on bilateral issues particularly on the progress on the bilateral cooperation and Nepal ’s problems.

“As an important person playing influential role in overall Chinese foreign policy, this visit has big significance,” said a China expert on condition of anonymity. “This visit is taking place at the initiative of  China .”

Although China always backs Nepal ’s efforts to assert its independence and sovereignty and has termed February 1, Royal takeover as an internal affair of Nepal , the northern neighbor seems to have certain displeasures over delays in the implementations of the projects agreed by Nepal five years ago.

Despite signing agreement on several development projects between Nepal and China , the present government, which has been fighting violent insurgency and facing political agitation, has shown little enthusiasm towards them. During the visit of Chinese primer Zhu Rongji in 2001, Nepal and China had signed agreement to build Syaphrubeshi-Kerung, the second road to link Nepal with Tibet ; construct Civil Servant Hospital and Polytechnic Institute.

China has already completed the construction of the section of Syaphrubeshi road on the Chinese side but the Department of Road in Nepal is yet to submit its reports regarding the quality of geology and soil of the construction site on Nepal side. China is reportedly waiting to get report from Nepal to begin helping in the construction of the road. In five years, Nepal has seen five different governments including the present one but the construction of the road and the implementation of other projects are yet to begin.

Not only the newly proposed road, even the existing 18 kilometer portion of Barabishe-Kodari, the first road to link the capital with Tibet , is in bad condition and Nepal government has not yet started its renovation.

“Engaging in closer connection and economic cooperation between the two capitals can not only place themselves better off, but also presumably leads to a change of geopolitical outlook. Unfortunately, the pace of materializing these agreements and projects remains slow given the instability in Nepal ,” said Hua Han, scholar of School of International Studies Peking University in her article “The Strategic Dimension in Sino-Nepalese Relations.”

Like Nepal ’s southern neighbor, which has been permitted to open Consulate General Office in Birgunj two years ago, China also reportedly expressed willingness to open Consulate General Office in Biratnagar in case Nepalese request them to do so. They have already proposed to build optical fiber through Kathmandu-Kodari highway. Under Indian cooperation, an optical fiber network has recently been completed in the East West highway.

“We are ready to provide support as much as we can in the overall developmental process of Nepal . China always wants to see prosperous and independent Nepal . First of all your government needs to execute the agreed projects including the construction of Syaphrubeshi-Kerung road and renovation of 18 kilometer portion of Barabishe-Kodari road. Only after completing these works, Chinese government can consider other proposals,” said a senior Chinese diplomat. “If Nepal government and people of Nepal request us, we are ready to do more for Nepal .”

No specific agenda has been announced yet but sources said the senior Chinese official will discuss a wide range of bilateral issues with government ministers. Although China also pursues the policy of calling for the unity between Nepal ’s political forces, this is he fist time leader of China ’s high-level delegation is meeting with senior opposition political leaders.

China has recently urged all political forces to narrow down their differences. “ China hopes that Nepal can be stabilized as soon as possible,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan recently commenting on Nepal ’s crisis.

“ Nepal is one of China ’s friendly neighboring countries and China is concerned about the current insurgency in Nepal . China hopes that all parties involved in Nepal will narrow down their differences through dialogue so as to contribute to the country’s development and prosperity,” said Kong Quan.

Nepal ’s two-neighbors - India and China - who fought a brief border war in 1962, are cautiously monitoring the situation in Nepal as both the neighbors have vital stakes. At any moment one may be provoked by other to lose its restraint. The more the situation in Nepal is becoming unstable and volatile, the more one apprehends the involvement of one against the other in Nepal .

“Being Nepal ’s close neighbor, Beijing also shares its own concerns on the domestic instability in Nepal , simply because it is likely to have a spill-over effect on the security environment in China ’s frontier areas,” said Hua Han. “For Beijing , Nepal ’s strategic disposition is of tremendous value to its South Asia Policy and to the stability in its frontier region.”

“In recent weeks, there were positive indications to show that they ( India and China ) have started to talk about Nepal and discuss whatever the complaints that they may have against each other in Nepal . They are having constant dialogue without any provocative propaganda,” said an analyst.

The visit of senior Chinese official indicates how important Nepal ’s geo-strategic position is in their agenda.