From mountain to sea: Strengthening Nepal-China relations

Overview:

We all know that the relationship between Nepal and the People's Republic of China is deeply rooted and has a long history. Nepal-China relations have always been friendly and cordial.

Since the times of Nepalese monk and scholar Buddha Bhadra (early 5th century), Princess Bhrikuti (first half of the 7th century) and Araniko (Anige, second half of the 13th century), the relationship has existed since ancient times between the two countries, and the bilateral relations continue to develop in many aspects like education and culture even today. Early visits by Chinese monks and scholars, such as Fa Xian (Jin Dynasty) and Xuan Zang (Tang Dynasty), consolidated the relationship between Nepal and China, making it two-way and cordial.

However, formal and modern relations between the two countries started on Aug. 1, 1955, with the establishment of diplomatic relations. Bilateral relations between China and Nepal, characterized by mutual trust, mutual benefit, and mutual interaction, have consistently maintained healthy and steady growth, becoming a model for relations between nations. The relationship is based on mutual trust and common strategic benefits, and it is committed to fostering traditional friendship while continuously expanding multi-level exchanges among political parties, governments, and social communities.

About Shenzhen

Since I landed in Shenzhen nearly 2.5 years ago, one aspect of Chinese society that has caught my attention is the government’s unparalleled commitment to providing efficient services to its citizens and improving their welfare. The government prioritizes the common citizen in everything it does, from the transport system to waste management. Such dedication is better exemplified by how the country has devised a way to transform a backward fishing village.

The success of the special economic zone program in Shenzhen has driven me to understand how the Chinese got it right. Besides, I have had time to try and figure out how the same could be implemented in other developing countries like Nepal, where I come from. What lessons can we learn from the remarkable achievements in China, particularly in Shenzhen, and how can we reshape our policies accordingly?

Shenzhen’s rapid development is primarily based on sustained economic growth stimulated by pro-market reforms, transportation revitalization, and a technology transfer policy with stable political circumstances. This success of Shenzhen gives hope and inspiration to other developing countries like Nepal. Eradicating extreme disparity and fostering prosperity is not a difficult task, and the necessary tools are readily available. The fundamentals consist of intentional efforts by the government and a commitment to growth and development. I believe that the key to China’s success lies in identifying effective policies, implementing them, and scaling up their efforts.

Furthermore, the notion of Chinese relations is far different from exploitation in which one side (winner/exploiter) takes advantage of the other side’s (loser/exploited) resources, which Nepal historically knows very well. People describe it as innovative, inclusive, youthful, and high-tech due to its rapid economic, social, and environmental transformation The development of infrastructure in Shenzhen, along with the equalization of public services between urban and rural areas, will address the growing issues of rural-urban migration and inequality.

About the Kathmandu 

Kathmandu and Shenzhen formally signed a sister city agreement on Sept. 17, 2014. The purpose of this sister city agreement is to promote cultural and commercial ties. After 2016, Nepal and China agreed to use four sea ports and three land ports for third-country trade from Nepal, with Shenzhen being one of them. It will help to build economic linkage to Kathmandu.

Furthermore, the cultural connection between the two cities will promote the emotions, values, and livelihoods of their residents. This cultural communication will be a solid foundation for other political, economic, and developmental initiatives. The Hongfa Temple, located in Shenzhen, has been contributing to the cultural connection between the two cities. 

A story has been told about the foundation of the habitable city of Kathmandu for many centuries. The story of Manjushree, known in China as Wen Shu Pu Sa, is narrated in Nepal as the founder of the Kathmandu valley who cut the gorge to drain out the water from the lake to make the Kathmandu Valley a habitable city. The city, now known as the “City of Temples,” has more than 2,700 different types of temples and stupas that were built over various time spans.

There are seven cultural heritage sites in Kathmandu, among them temples, stupas, historic, and artistic places. Our shared cultural connections extend beyond what might be the Himalayas to embrace deep-rooted arts, architectures, and scripts that have commonalities. The styles of the temples, old buildings, window panes, and wooden beams, to name a few, speak volumes about the strong cultural influences on both sides over the centuries.

The gradually increasing Chinese-speaking population in Kathmandu has facilitated a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and the educational opportunities available in China. A few years ago, youth from different parts of Nepal used to come to Kathmandu and immediately made it their mentality to go toWestern countries: Australia, Canada, Europe, and the U.S. 

Hongfa Temple:

Not only the technology and other sectors of development, but here is a famous Buddhist temple called Hongfa Temple, which wasthe first templebuilt after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, which explores the core values of Buddhist culture and its value to the world. This temple promotes the cultural relation betweenthe two countries besides sister city promotion. Through the Hongfa Temple, billions of people will learn the peace, mutual harmony, and compassion of Buddhism in the world.

Mountain-Sea Cultural Communication

The concept of culture encompasses both the aesthetic, symbolic, and linguistic expressions of human beings, as well as the systematic ways of life observed within communities or organizations. It includes various aspects, such as ways of life, basic human behaviors, value systems, traditions, and beliefs. Cultural communication shows how people from different cultural backgrounds can effectively communicate by comparing, contrasting, and examining the consequences of the differences in their communication patterns.

However, communicating with others from different cultural backgrounds can be full of challenges, surprises, and re-learning because languages, values, and protocols differ according to context barriers, like language and noise, which impede communication by distorting, blocking, or altering the meaning. 

Mountains are symbols of calmness, impartiality, and fairness, while the sea serves as a natural monitor for display. When you need fresh air to breathe, the mountain will provide it. The depth of the sea becomes the standard for measuring the height of the mountains. Similarly, the relationship between these two cities can also play an important role in promoting cultural relations through this Hongfa Temple.

Conclusion

1. Some media outlets have portrayed China as a vast and inaccessible neighbor, but cooperation between mountain and sea will depict the real image of China and its people-centric development with cultural notions. It will help to build up confidence and lesson for the diversely populated city of Kathmandu to rearrange and work for people to manage cultural city well.

2. We can communicate with people in two cities about the Oriental/Eastern culture and civilization, which promotes sharing traditions, harmony in diversity, and not win-lose competition.

3. Our friendship has been rewarding and beneficial for all of us and has contributed to enabling us to grow and thrive together.

I am fully convinced that a broadened and deepened relationship between the two cities, “Mountain” and “Sea,” will not only support our economic progress but also contribute to building peaceful and prosperous societies.