On December 31, 2017, Tinali Book Publication and Tibet Book Store jointly organized a seminar entitled ‘Outlooks from the 19th NCCPC on China and Tibet under New Era and the Cultural Exchange between China, Tibet and Nepal.”
Formally kicking off the program, General Manager of Tinali Book Publication, Mr. Shawn welcoming all the participants told that after successful completion of 19th National Congress of CPC, the right time has come to discuss on the important aspects of this mega event which the world had been watching closely. He also said that high time has come to discuss relation between Nepal and Tibet under the policy and guidelines incorporated in 19th National Congress.
A senior diplomat Luo Tiezhu then made in-depth power point presentation giving brief information on the important achievements made in 19th National Congress, including the President Xi Jinping’s proposal of new socialism with Chinese characteristics. Luo presentation also included information on different aspects viz social, economic, health, education, culture, tourism and ecology of Tibet. His presentation was followed by short video on Tibet made by Tibet Autonomous Region government. All the participants were left amazed by the natural beauty of Tibet shown in video.
Sunder Nath Bhattarai, the acting Chairman of China Study Center, giving basic information about his Center, informed that under his initiative his organization has translated the book titled ‘Xi Jinping: The Governanace of China, Volume I’. And, in near future the Center is planning to translate the Volume II of this book as well.
Another participant Rajendra Thapa, a writer by profession, said that Chinese government never makes uncalculated and unachievable tall claims. “China set goals based on research and then makes endeavor stepwise to achieve them. On the other hand our Nepali politicians speak abruptly calming that within few years they will make Nepal Singapore or Switzerland.”
Dr. Thakur Mohan Shrestha, retired AIG of Armed Police Force, told that he is very happy to share his ideas with friends from northern neighbor in Kathmandu, a city few hundred years back was created by Manjushree who had also come from China. He is of opinion that the relation between Nepal and China will deepen and will be more strong only if both the countries are prosperous. He also pointed out that Red Sandalwood produced in India is smuggled to China via Nepal, a serious security issue that need to be checked in time.
Prem Sagar Poudel, President of Nepal-China Mutual Cooperation Society, expressed his grievances saying that Nepal-China relation has been limited in papers and formality only. Giving various historical evidences Poudel claimed that China-Nepal relation dates back to some 5,000 years. He also said that one decade ago Tibet was poor than Nepal but now Tibet in all aspects have exceeded Nepal. Ending this speech, he told that he salutes President Xi for opening eyes of small and poor countries like Nepal and acting responsibly towards them.
Dr. Bal Mukunda Regmi, a professor of Tribhuvan University, made presentation where he remarked that previously China was reluctant to make voice on international issues but now the time has changed as China is ready to take responsibility of his part. “Nepal-China relation is ‘asymmetry’ in all aspects – size, population, economy, military strength and so forth,” he told. He also further added that as China has become a major power in the world politics, it has no time to focus only on Nepal. Better if Nepal fully prepares itself on how to reap benefits from prosperity of China by adopting policy of ‘no bilateral trade loss’.
Pushpa Raj Pradhan, the editor-in-chief of The People’s Review, claimed that without investment from China, the overall development of Nepal is not possible. To support his logic he reminded that in 1970s China itself has asked for investment from Asian Development Bank, World Bank and other financial institutions for infrastructure development and after proper utilization of fund from donors, China significantly changed its face. Pradhan also claimed that after development of Nepal, from present India locked status , the nation will be equally inclined to both India and Tibet.
A Buddhist monk informing that his home district Mugu is very poor in education sector requested the Chinese participants to help his district in this regard.
Mr. Jigme, a refugee from Lhasa, who had come to Nepal some 20 years ago got emotional while sharing his views. With moist eyes he said that he is really happy to know about the development of Lhasa at this program and in near future if everything goes well he will returned back to his home town Lhasa.
Dambar Sahau, the CEO of three Nepali TV channels, informed that recently he has signed an agreement between one TV channel of Chengdu of China and his Bhakti Darshan channel. He also suggested to launch online media which could exclusively cover news of Nepal and China.
Sahau also told that he is planning to organize a conference titled ‘South Asia Media Conference 2018’ in March of upcoming year. He believes that this conference will be beneficial for many Nepali media houses who don’t have clear understanding of China’s grand project ‘One Belt, One Road’.
With dinner and best wishes of Nepal Year 2018, eventually the program ended.
