Leela Mani Paudyal

The year 2021 is the 66th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China. The relationship founded on the principle of peaceful coexistence, equality, everlasting friendship and comprehensive cooperation that has been continuously nurtured by the successive leaderships of both the countries throughout these 66 happy years. China has always respected the choices of Nepali people and supported territorial integrity, sovereignty, socio-political stability and development endeavours of Nepal.

Similarly, Nepal has remained committed to the One-China policy and consistently maintained its position on Taiwan and Hong Kong as an integral part, and Tibet and Xinjing as internal matters of China. Nepal has effectively controlled anti-China activities on her soil. Nepal-China relationship has been characterised by trust, good neighbourliness, cooperation in the matters of common concern and sensitivity on core vital interest of either side. Peace, stability and development are common pursuit of Nepal and China.

Unique example
China tremendously transformed from low-income developing country to a global power with the world’s second largest economy. On the other, Nepal has passed through several political upheavals and frequent regime changes. Irrespective of tremendous transformation of China and various political transitions in Nepal, both the countries have continued to foster their relationship and remained all-weather friends. Such relationship made them reliable partners, trusted friends and good neighbours. The trouble-free relation between the two bordering countries with vast differences in size, population, economy and military strength is a unique example in itself.

The year 2019 marks special significance in our bilateral relations. President Bidya Devi Bhandari paid state visit to China from April 24 to May 2, 2019. This was the first state visit from Nepal’s head of state after the country was declared as federal democratic republic in 2008. President Bhandari addressed the Second Belt and Road International Cooperation Forum held in Beijing on April 25-27 together with 40 heads of states and the governments, and the international organisations. The state leaders issued a joint communiqué that encompasses, among others, ‘the development of Trans-Himalayan Multidimensional Connectivity Network including cross border railway’, a significant outcome for Nepal.

President Bhandari held bilateral meeting with her Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, reached several understanding of greater significance for both the countries and witnessed the signing of seven agreements including, the Protocol on Transit Transport Agreement. The Embassy of Nepal in Beijing conducted a study visit of a team of Nepali officials from relevant departments in July 2019, and organised meetings with port authorities from coastal cities of transit cargo entry point, Tianjin, to Beijing and Xining (the land port authorised to handle Nepal-bound transit cargo).
The delegation observed facilities and acquired practical knowledge and essential information about transit procedures. Chinese officials assured the Nepali side for facilitating the smooth movement of Nepal-bound transit cargo. An ‘Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters’ and ‘Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation on Standardisation’ were signed to help facilitate smooth movement of goods across the border, particularly, Nepali exports to China. However, no tangible progress has been made in regard to the implementation of these agreements.

President Xi visited Nepal on October 12-13, 2019. It was the first ever visit of a Chinese President to the Himalayan nation after 23 years. During Xi’s visit, altogether 20 agreements were signed and almost equal number of understandings on vital interest of both the countries reached. The two sides agreed to elevate Nepal-China relations to “Strategic Partnership of Cooperation Featuring Everlasting Friendship for Development and Prosperity”.

Agreements on the establishment of Confucius Institute at Tribhuvan University, the exchange of letter on the establishment of Consulate General of Nepal in Chengdu and a delivery of the China-Aid Earthquake Monitoring Network Project in Nepal have been fully implemented. Likewise, the MoU on the establishment of Sister City relations between Kathmandu and Nanjing, and Butwal and Xian remained invaluable as both the municipalities of Nepal received life-saving support from respective cities of China in the fight against COVID19.

The Agreement on Boundary Management, and Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters are awaiting the fulfilment of domestic legal formalities for implementation, whereas two separate working groups are formed and an online meeting was held for the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the Investment Cooperation Working Group and the establishment of the Joint Working Group on Trade. The MoU on the Exchanges and Cooperation on Governance Capacity Building, MoU on Cooperation between the Office of the Attorney General of Nepal and Supreme People's Procuratorate of the People's Republic of China remained yet to be implemented that supposedly is delayed due to the restriction on cross-border movement of people during COVID-19 pandemic.

Implementation of the MoUs/agreements on cross-border railway project, tunnel construction and improvement of border check points has shown some sign of progress, albeit a bit slow. The implementation of the ‘Zhumulangma/ Sagarmatha Protection Cooperation,’ MoU on ‘Promoting Key Projects of Investment and Cooperation on Production Capacity’, Protocol of ‘Phytosanitary Requirements for the Export of Citrus Fruits from Nepal to China’ and Minutes of Meeting for ‘Water Supply Improvement Project in Kathmandu’ require to be expedited for deriving benefits. Exchange of Letter on Border Security Equipment and Office Furniture Project has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas the MoU on Traditional Medicine Cooperation and MoU on Cooperation in Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Response are also yet to be implemented.

Satisfactory progress
Many China-aided projects under development cooperation, including the reconstruction of heritage sites, school buildings, roads and other infrastructure damaged by the earthquake have made progress to the level of satisfaction. In addition, both sides agreed “to intensify implementation of the MoU on cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative to enhance connectivity, encompassing such vital components as ports, roads, railways, aviation and communications within the overarching framework of Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network with a view to significantly contributing to Nepal’s development agenda that includes graduating from LDC at an early date, becoming middle income country by 2030 and realising the SDGs by the same date.”

The world has gone through unprecedented turbulence due to COVID-19 since early 2020 and China is the largest supporter of vaccine and life-saving materials to Nepal that deserve acclamation. Political stability and development are the overdue aspirations of Nepali people. At the same, political stability and development in Nepal is also in the interest of China as a neighbour bordering with the part of high sensitivity. The speedy implementation of those agreements and understandings bears huge significance in maintaining peace, stability and development in the trans-Himalayan region. Therefore, they warrant for setting goals with time-bound action plan to be pursued from relevant authorities at the earliest.

(Paudyal is former ambassador of Nepal to China.)