The Kathmandu Post
December 1, 2012
Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Yang Houlan has said that New Delhi and Beijing are in close communication on a range of Nepal-related issues and that a stable and prosperous Nepal was in the interest of both Delhi and Beijing.
“Relations between China and India are in the upward trajectory and we do regularly communicate with India on various issues on Nepal,” Yang told a programme here on Friday. “We hope that some kind of positive trilateral cooperation between Nepal, India and China would be beneficial for the region.”
During his visit to Nepal in January, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao urged the Nepali leadership to have good relations with Delhi, adding that a stable and prosperous Nepal is in the best interest of both China and India. “Our prime minister, during his recent visit to Nepal, has said that we support Nepal’s relationship and cooperation with India, while respecting Nepal’s sovereignty,” the envoy said. He dispelled claims that China and India had conflicting interests in Nepal. “In Nepal, we (China and India) support and trust each other,” he said at the Reporters’ Club, Nepal.
He took exception to reports in the Indian media that Chinese investments in the southern plains of Nepal would be detrimental to Indian interests and said the Chinese development initiatives, including a hospital in Chitwan, is aimed at Nepal’s development.
Answering questions on the Free Tibet movement in Nepal and supposed involvement of some INGOs in such a campaign, Yang said “forces” were at work to destabilise China. He lauded efforts put in by the Nepali government and the people in “deterring these forces.”
On the current political standoff in Kathmandu, Yang said China does not take sides and that Nepali people and Nepal’s political parties were capable of deciding what’s best for them. China’s new leadership, the envoy said, would continue the nation’s policy of non-interference in other nations’ internal affairs. He, however, urged Nepal’s political actors to resolve the current political stalemate at the earliest through negotiations and shift its focus to the much-needed economic and social development.
