Butwal, Oct.1: Nepal's failure to fully benefit from its friendship with China, a neighbouring country with the second largest economy in the world, is mostly attributable to internal problems within the country, speakers at an interaction said.
At an event held by the Nepal-China Friendship Society Lumbini to celebrate China's 74th National Day, speakers regretted the political instability that had prevented China from establishing industries in Nepal for the purpose of economic development. Additionally, Nepal's inability to develop a sound and reliable foreign policy has made it difficult for it to attract financial backing, investments, and assistance from one of its closest neighbour, China.
Amik Sherchan, the Chief of Lumbini Province, said that despite China's desire to offer assistance, Nepal had lost out on certain opportunities. He stressed that even though Nepal and China had reached a number of agreements, Nepal's political instability made it difficult for it to carry out its obligations. According to him, this inability to follow through on commitments prevented anticipated cooperation and investment from China.
Sherchan emphasised that since successive governments have been unable to hold office for five years since 2007, there has been a decline in trust in Nepalese authorities. In order to effectively utilise Nepal's abundant natural resources, he underlined the importance of increasing cooperation with China.
Sherchan noted that the country's economic situation was much worse than Nepal's before Mao Zedong founded the People's Republic of China. However, the commitment and discipline of its people have been the driving forces behind China's amazing transition into the world's most powerful economy.
The Province Chief stressed on Nepal's adherence to the One-China Policy and suggested our government and political parties to work towards building trust to get Chinese support in resolving the current economic crisis.
The president of the Nepal-China Friendship Society Lumbini, Narayan Sapkota, emphasised the society's efforts to work with appropriate organisations to entice Chinese investment to Nepal. Additionally, he stated that through improved governmental and people-to-people ties with China, they hope to welcome 150 million Chinese Buddhist pilgrims to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha.
A number of dignitaries attended the event, including industrialists Ujjwal Kasaju, Ejaz Alam, Tank Pokharel, and poet Bund Rana, as well as monks from the Lumbini Chinese Monastery, Prof. Dr. Kapildev Lamichhane, Dr. Rishi Ram Sharma, and Dr. Sagar Neupane. They asked the government to create a favourable strategy to attract Chinese visitors during the week-long holiday celebrated by the Chinese government and people in observance of China's National Day.
The Nepal-China Friendship Society Lumbini, headed by its chairperson Sapkota, sent its warmest congratulations and best wishes to the Chinese people, the Chinese government, General Secretary Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song, and all Chinese colleagues in Nepal on the occasion of China's 74th National Foundation Day.
