Professor Huang Zheng Duo of Sichuan University in China says that the geo-political situation in the region may be one of the reasons behind the failure of BRI projects to progress as they should.
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Huang Zheng Duo, Director and Professor of Nepal Studies Center of Sichuan University, China, is one of the few foreign scholars who keep coming to Nepal.
Duo, who also studied at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies in America, is active as a research researcher on the relationship between China and South Asian countries. Professor Huang Zheng Duo who came to Kathmandu to take part in various programs on the occasion of the 70th year of China-Nepal relations Madhu Shahi of Rasa :
Among the tourists who visit Nepal, the number of Chinese tourists is large . What improvements can Nepal make in the tourism sector to increase the attraction of Chinese tourists?
Nepal is becoming naturally beautiful. Apart from that, there are various palace areas in the world heritage list, the highest peak of the world, Mount Everest, various national parks, and the culture here is unmatched. Lumbini has become a center of attraction for Chinese citizens especially as it is the birthplace of Lord Gautama Buddha. Lumbini, which I saw during the tour, is fine in terms of physical structure, but it has not yet been targeted by tourists in terms of exchanging cultural feelings.
In my opinion, it is necessary to have stable politics in Nepal to make the relationship between Nepal and China long-term and result-oriented. Permanent leadership is necessary for the development here to take shape.
For example, once we went to Lumbini with one of my friends . What spiritual and original gift of Lumbini will he take with him when he returns? When walking around the market, nothing new was found. And finally, some leaves that fell from the Peepal tree in Lumbini were collected and taken as a sign. What original gift can Nepal return to the tourists? If you think about it, business will increase and tourists will be happy. Similarly, when visiting Nepal, tourists have to buy tickets at a very expensive price compared to other countries. If there is a discount on tickets, I see the possibility that the number of Chinese citizens visiting Nepal will increase greatly.
Lately, high-level visits between the two countries have been increasing. What effect do you see this having on diplomatic relations ?
Meetings and continuous dialogue are necessary to strengthen the relationship between any country. It helps to strengthen each other's emotional relationship even more. Diplomatically, it is natural to meet periodically between heads of government or heads of state at a high level. Apart from that, the relationship between the citizens is also increasing. It helps to understand each other better . The exchange of students from both countries is helping to understand the Chinese society. They are becoming convinced that the way the Western media is explaining about China is wrong.
It has been 70 years since Nepal-China diplomatic relations expanded. What direction do you see the relationship between Nepal and China moving towards now?
Diplomatic relations between Nepal and China began on August 1, 1955. Coexistence, cooperation, respectful and friendly relations have been expanding between these two countries since the past. Now, throughout the month of August, we are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the expansion of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China. Now, how to make the next year more golden and strong is important.
In my opinion, it is necessary to have stable politics in Nepal to make the relationship between Nepal and China long-term and result-oriented. Permanent leadership is necessary for the development here to take shape. Similarly, cooperation can be done in the hydropower projects here. Similarly, since the future is Artificial Intelligence (AI), I have seen another basis for Nepal to make meaningful relations in digital partnership. Nepal has recently introduced an AI policy, which is positive . Since China has made great progress in this field, Nepal can also learn technology from China.
What do you see as more effective among the political, economic, educational, social, and cultural bases for strengthening diplomatic relations between Nepal and China?
As you said, all bases including political, economic, educational, social and cultural strengthen the diplomatic relations between the two countries. All these points are interrelated. However, in my opinion, the partnership of economic development can also contribute to the prosperity of other areas. In terms of economic development and poverty reduction, China wants to share what it knows with Nepal.
China's Belt and Road (BRI) project has been taken up with great interest in Nepal. What is your opinion on this ?
Since Nepal is a landlocked country, it is very important to expand external connectivity here. China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project can actually help expand connectivity and support development here. But the growing geo-political situation in the region can also be a reason behind the failure of the BRI projects to progress in the way they should. In terms of development, it is necessary for all political parties to come together.
Nepal is a relatively small country between two powerful neighboring countries. What strategies should Nepal adopt to maintain balance between these big nations?
As you said, Nepal is a small country geographically between two powerful countries. But, it has its own existence, sovereignty and separate identity . Nepal may have felt some challenges in balancing the neighborhood relations between China and India. In my opinion, it is not a big problem if Nepal keeps the sense of virtue and cooperation between neighboring countries. It does not seem to be a problem to maintain a balance in order to cooperate . It seems that Nepal is doing such a diplomatic exercise.
The tendency of Nepalese students to study in China is increasing. What role can those students play in connecting the two countries?
Lately, the trend of Nepalese students studying in China is increasing. This is a good thing for us. Youth Jamaat participating in various trainings, seminars and discussions is intense . As students are an important source of knowledge and culture exchange, educational development helps to strengthen the relationship between the two countries . Such activities are necessary to understand each other.
