KATHMANDU: China, yet another time, exposed its intervening propensity in Nepal.
The four-day visit of China Communist Party’s head of the international department, Liu Jianchao, proved it all that China pulled out all the stops to “influence and interfere” in Nepal’s internal affairs.
This, indisputably, is not new though. China, as observers note, is “accustomed” to interfering in Nepal’s internal affairs.
Here’s what former Ambassador to Denmark and analyst Vijay Kant Karna puts it, “The northern neighbor’s interference in Nepal has become so brazen that Nepali people can’t tolerate it any longer.”
Karna referred to Liu’s hectic meetings with Nepal’s political leaders saying, “China has been repeatedly interfering in Nepal’s international affairs and trying to spoil the bilateral relations with our friendly countries.”
In fact, this became evident when Liu tried to provoke Nepal’s relations with the United States rather than focussing on further strengthening Nepal-China relations.
This, a Nepali Congress (NC) leader, who was present during a dinner meeting with Liu, argued, is a move that is against diplomatic dignity.
What is even more objectionable, the leader said, is that during his meeting with Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka, Liu repeatedly showed his interest in the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), State Partnership Program (SPP), and Indo-Pacific Strategy rather than talking more about Nepal-China relations.
Another NC leader, who also attended the dinner meeting, told Khabarhub that Liu spent most of his time opposing Nepal’s relations with the United States.
This, according to the leader, is a clear indication of how China has been trying to create a “non-diplomatic pressure” on Nepal to dampen its relations with the United States.
Here, Saroj Mishra, a political analyst, too, concurs with the NC leader. “I have been very firm on the fact that China has been involved in a planned ‘ideological invasion’ of Nepalese minds.”
Mishra argues that China has, to large extent, been successful in building a huge section in the Nepalese political arena (so-called progressive communists) who were ready to convert Nepal into a ‘protected state of China’.
The northern neighbor’s “aggressive, yet failed campaign” with Nepal’s parties, particularly Communists, to block the MCC grant’s passage has been a blow to this emerging economy.
Liu reportedly asked a Maoist Center leader the reason for Nepal’s compulsion to endorse the MCC.
Therefore, Liu, during his four-day visit to Nepal, worked hard to unify and bring Nepal’s Communist parties together like in the year 2018.
“China had thought that their dream of ‘pro-China communist Nepal’ has been realized after the strong majority commanding NCP government,” said Mishra adding, “However, this proved to be perhaps a ‘hallucination’.”
Mishra also believes that Nepal, believed to have been fully in their fold, was slipping.
Liu very shrewdly resorted to China’s old tactic by repeating hackneyed assurances, which, as analysts note, “undermined Nepali sovereignty and independence”.
“Therefore, Liu’s visit to Nepal was an effort to rebuild the lost ground,” he argued.
It is obvious, as he argues further, that the dream of ‘pro-China Red Nepal’ can be realized only through a strong communist party.
“China would do all possible things to build a strong China-loyal communist party in Nepal, and this is far beyond interference, that is a sort of ‘invasion’ of Nepal,” Mishra claimed.
Liu’s hectic and “controlling” political meetings added fuel to the already irritated Nepali leaders, observers said, alleging the Chinese side for imposing an unannounced blockade at two major passes, including Tatopani and Rashuwagadhi where Nepali trucks are bound to wait for months for their turn to transport Nepali trader’s goods.
The recent visit, according to observers, could be a damage-control exercise as well as to test the waters as what China can do here in Nepal.
Beijing has been playing foul, according to a leader as it has been loading Nepal with binding assurances with projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
During his visit, Lui’s separate meetings with Nepali leaders of the Nepali Congress, Maoist Center, and the Unified Socialist party could be intended to assess the situation after Nepal endorsed MCC.
Liu very shrewdly resorted to China’s old tactic by repeating hackneyed assurances, which, as analysts note, “undermined Nepali sovereignty and independence”.
According to Unified Socialist leader Jaganath Khatiwada, Liu even conveyed China President Xi Jinping to the Communist leaders saying, “It’s a good thing that people with similar ideologies come together. China believes in unity. It is our belief that there is strength in unity.”
Furthermore, if a leader of the Unified Socialist party is to be believed, Liu even “praised, and expressed gratitude” to Madhav Kumar Nepal, party chairman for playing a role in blocking the State Partnership Program (SPP), a United States’ program.
During the meeting, Liu spent most of his time expressing grudges against the United States, the leader who attended the meeting told Khabarhub, insisting on anonymity.
He even reiterated the worn-out phrase of Communist unity, which he claimed was the only strength that benefits the country and the communist movement.
Liu, during his meetings with Nepal’s political leaders, reportedly lobbied in an intimidating tone to “discourage and discredit” Nepal-US relations.
According to Unified Socialist leader Jaganath Khatiwada, Liu even conveyed China President Xi Jinping to the Communist leaders saying, “It’s a good thing that people with similar ideologies come together. China believes in unity. It is our belief that there is strength in unity.”
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