A wake-up call from China
By Leela Mani Paudyal
The book titled ‘Mend or End’ by Zhou Shengping, Chief of Xinhua Bureau, is a compilation of his Nepal-based news analyses, news reporting and interviews for Xinhua, Asia Pacific Daily and other media outlets from July 2012 to the end of 2020. Working almost a decade in Nepal, Mr. Zhou has witnessed several political upheavals that include the dissolution of the first Constituent Assembly (CA) without promulgating constitution (2012) that resulted in constitutional chaos and political infighting among the competing major political parties, formation of a government under the chairmanship of seating Chief Justice without any such provisions in the constitution, consecutive election to second CA, and promulgation of a federal republic constitution through the Constituent Assembly. He also intensively reported about the violent protests taken place in Tarai region against the constitution promulgation and the Indian economic blockade on Nepal on the backdrop of the new constitution.It’s an unusual experience for a Chinese to witness the formation of at least six governments in five years (2012-2017) followed by the decision of the two largest communist parties to contest 2017 election jointly. Later on the two parties united to a single Nepal Communist Party (NCP) in May 2018, which enabled them to secure almost two-thirds majority in the federal parliament, paving a way to form the strongest communist government. As a working journalist, Mr. Zhou’s write-ups tried to epitomize the views of Nepali leaders through which they assured Nepali people for political stability and prosperity as a long cherished goal. There was a high hope and aspiration of Nepali people for a better life from the emerging political developments after the joint contest of 2017 elections and subsequent merger of two largest communist parties. However,as a result of serious internal disputes within the NCP, the parliament was dissolved prematurely by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The restoration of the parliament by the Supreme Court and ultimately the disintegration of the ruling NCP after yet another court order fueled the political fluidity, turning political uncertainty from bad to worse. Mr Zhou seems to have actively engaged with different strata and section of Nepali society for exploring the cause or reason of such political mess, and people’s views and aspirations. He experienced the destructive earthquake of 2015 and the COVID-19 pandemic together with Nepali people and got an opportunity to sense the nerve of Nepali society in rejoices and sufferings both. Mr. Zhou was fortunate enough to witness the most-awaited visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping (2019) to Nepal, visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (2012) and other high-level bilateral visits. Similarly, he interacted with politicians including the first and second presidents of the Federal Republic of Nepal, and five prime ministers, many think tanks, diplomats among others to collect diverse views in wide ranges of issues.
The book is composed of five chapters to begin with politics that cover the topics such as Nepali dreams, political rivalry between the parties, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Nepal, BRI, regional cooperation and the interviews of both the presidents, all the five prime ministers (except the chairman of the council of minister) and three of the foreign ministers of that period (2012-2020). In all the interactions and interviews with political leaders some typical phrases used by them to define Nepal-China relations are not exclusively “have been enjoying uninterrupted good relations since last 60 years”; Nepal-China relations “never been indented and it has remained always out of controversy”; and “political parties in Nepal have been always positive towards strengthening the age-old close and friendly ties with China.”In the first chapter, the author covers some of the deliberations on BRI, trilateral and regional cooperation and economic integration between China and South Asia where the participants, except from India, viewed the Chinese proposal of enhancing cooperation under the framework of BRI “will help achieve regional economic integration, prosperity, and stability by creating a win-win situation.” Taking it all round, Belt and Road Initiative, the largest ever global development initiative, propounded by President Xi Jinping, promote Trans-Himalayan Multidimensional Connectivity Network, and to bridge the two vibrant economies of Asia, China and India. Three topics are dedicated to report historic state visit of President Xi Jinping to Nepal, which was considered “good for maintaining peace and stability in South Asia” and also “contributing to neighborly friendship, mutual understanding and economic development in the entire Asian region.” The author highlights the achievements of the visit in three broader headings including 1) strengthen “unbreakable” traditional friendship; upgrade infrastructure under the theme of the Trans[1]Himalayan Connectivity Network, a gigantic infrastructure program undertaken by two countries to upgrade roads, railways and aviation in Nepal, and bolster ties” and 3) draw “a blueprint” for “Nepal-China relations” and to “herald a new era of relations, to strengthen Nepal’s friendship with China and expand ties under the BRI.” The author summarizes the outcome of the visit as the agreement “to elevate their ties to a strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity, opening new chapter in Nepal-China relations” and “to sign 20 bilateral cooperation agreements” that “the visit may inject new vitality into Nepal’s economic development.” The author hails the visit to open new chapter for Nepal-China friendship as a noted scholar said that President’s visit “is a prelude to development in the next 20 years” that could transfer Nepal into an economically developed nation and dependable neighbor.”Chapter two is analysis reports about economic development,investment, interviews with former finance ministers, noted entrepreneurs including a Forbes billionaires list and deliberations on BRI as well as the regional and trilateral economic cooperation seminars. The author prefers todenote Nepal by “sleeping elephant” which is in the same place as was 10 years back. Mr. Zhou quotes Mao Zedong who said “10,000 years are too long, seize the day, seize the hour” and calls for “flexing a paltry amount of muscle and to keep ourselves alive.”Mr. Zhou lists down seven factors as the gap for socioeconomic transformation of Nepal as 1) brain drain and high unemployment rate; 2) hydroelectricity; 3) agriculture; 4) Himalayan herbs; 5) high corruption; 6) gender and 7) air-service. The Chinese journalist vividly narrates the stories of huge elections expenses, forceful donation drive by the political parties and candidates and its impacts on investment, which force a Nepali to prefer trade to set factory by taking lots of trouble and uncertainty. Likewise, the author seems worried of the mass exodus of Nepali youth everyday from the only international airport due to many reasons.
Therefore, he charges the “selfish political leaders for hurting and killing the dreams of young people who wish to live in their motherland.”Because of the excessive dependence on remittance sent by the migrant workers, a renowned entrepreneur says, “Without remittances Nepal would go bankrupt.” He further argues that “China has brought commercial opportunities” for us, Nepal can become a hub and a bridge, but the younger generation should not be “getting frustrated by the limited domestic opportunities.” Otherwise, “It will take another decade to recover,” the author quotes the successful business entrepreneur as saying. The author also travels to remote place Mustang and voices the voice of apple farmers that the juiciest apples even failed to get lucrative price and market due to lack of support from the government coupled with poor road network and infrastructure of cold storages. Chapter three revolves about culture and education. The author explains the role of Confucius Institute in fulfilling the growing needsof interpreters that would open business opportunities, goes to details of Nepali colorful festivals Holi, Teej festival of women, one-month[1]longMadhavnarayan festival, Father’s Day and a great Nepali festival Dashain. Society and environment constitute chapter four of the book. Nepal was struck by a devastating earthquake in April 2015 that took almost 9,000 lives, damaged about 800,000 houses and property worth billions
support from China for immediate rescue and relief, followed by reconstruction support. A renowned Hollywood superstar Jackey Chan from Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China travelled to Nepal to help revive Nepal’s quake-hit tourism, calling it a safe destination even after
the great disaster. More interestingly, a fact revealed that Mr.Chan was not aware of the birthplace of Lord Buddha, Lumbini, Nepal until he landed in Nepal in 2015. The author also highlights the raising pollution level in Kathmandu Valley, lack of public spaces in the city, poor maintenance of even limited gardens, rampant burning of woods, garbage and farmland residues cause heavy air pollution. The author sights example of Bagmati, the major river of Kathmandu Valley, and scorns the pathetic condition of filthy river as against the Hindu belief. The author calls upon the government to impose stricter regulations in Mt Qomolangma (Sagarmatha) for controlling pollution and upgrading the management of safe, environment friendly and well-supervised expedition.
Chapter five ‘Travel and Tourism’ highlights some of the tourism products, natural beauty, facilities and services, grievances of the Chinese visitors and some practical suggestions for harnessing untapped potential of tourism development. The author offers a vivid narration of Jungle Safari on elephant, the enthralling experiences of elephant games, safety of adventure sports like ultra-light aircraft flying. The author is loud and clear in giving suggestions that ‘there is dearth ofinfrastructure development in majortourism destinations’while arguing that unprofessional service to the guests is a matter of serious concerns.Mr. Zhou suggests exploring the snow economy by developing more engaging activities for tourists. The share of Chinese outbound tourists by the entire south Asia region is scanty to the number of Chinese visiting Thailand alone. South Asia, being very rich in natural, cultural and historic resources for tourism and an adjoining region with China, has an immense potential to grow, which will create lots of economic opportunities and promote better understanding byexpanding people to people relations. Last but not the least,I would like to commend the author for such a wonderful collection. The compilation here helps disseminate information to Chinese people about Nepal. There are very limited resources of such kind for Chinese readers on Nepal’s issues, therefore, I suggest the uthor to translate it into Chinese language and circulate mong the Chinese readers so that Chinese people can better understand their good neighbor, Nepal. Long Live Nepal China Friendship!
Former Ambassador of Nepal to China
Kathmandu-4, Chandole
