Table of Contents
1、China to expand trade, investment in South and Central Asia under BRI
2、Nepali language study expanding in Chinese universities
3、Chinese firm wants to survey, design Nepal-China railroad
4、Nepal, China to expedite cross-border railway
5、Nepal's joining OBOR will encourage India to do likewise: Chinese experts
6、China announces to provide $ 8.7 billion to developing countries
7、China agrees to provide financial assistance for cross-border railway link
8、A self-sustaining museum
9、Chinese students helping quake victims suggest Nepal government to expedite post-quake reconstruction
10、High-level Nepali visit at Gansu trade fair likely
11、Nepal's participation in Belt and Road forum to enhance ties: Envoy Paudyal
12、Dahal visit improved relations: Chinese experts
13、China ready to build Nepal-China rail link: Xi
China to expand trade, investment in South and Central Asia under BRI
Sangeet Sangroula, 19 October 2017, myRepublica
China will open its western region wider for forming globally-oriented networks of trade, investment and financing, production and services, and strengthen international economic cooperation and competition. The western region covers three autonomous regions -- Tibet, Ningxia, Xinjiang -- and six provinces -- Qinghai, Gansu, Shaanxi, Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan -- along with Chongqing Municipality.
BEIJING, Oct 19: In what may be taken as a move to further deepen its trade relations with South and Central Asian countries, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China will pursue the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a priority and open up its western region wider for the expansion of foreign trade in the next five years.
Presenting a 65-page work report at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of People on Wednesday, Chinese President Xi, who is also the general secretary of the party, said that China will open its western region wider for forming globally-oriented networks of trade, investment and financing, production and services, and strengthen international economic cooperation and competition.
The western region covers three autonomous regions namely Tibet, Ningxia, Xinjiang and six provinces -- Qinghai, Gansu, Shaanxi, Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan -- along with Chongqing Municipality. The western region, which shares border mostly with South Asia and Central Asian countries, is considered as comparatively least developed region of China and China seeks to develop the region through increased trade relations with South Asian and Central Asian countries under BRI. The flagship project of BRI 'China Pakistan Economic Corridor' passes through Xinjiang of China to Islamabad and Gwadar. Nepal, which shares border with Tibet, is also advocating for 'Trans-Himalaya Economic Corridor' between China-Nepal-India and can ripe economic benefits from the opening up.
President Xi further said that China will expand foreign trade, develop new models and new forms of trade, and turn China into a trader of quality.
"With these efforts, we hope to make new ground in opening China further through links running eastward and westward, across land and over sea," he added, at the five-yearly political gathering attended by 2,287 delegates from across China. Among the delegates were former general secretary of the party Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao. The congress will conclude on October 24.
President Xi, who delivered his speech for almost three and half hours, reviewed the progress made by the CPC since the 18th national Congress in 2012 on various fronts and unveiled a two-step approach to build China into a modern socialist country mid-21st century--to make China moderately prosperous by 2020 first and develop it into a modern socialist country by 2049.
Over the past five years, China's GDP rose from 8.2 trillion to 12.1 trillion US dollars, contributing more than 30 percent of global economic growth. More than 60 million people have been lifted out of poverty, the party report claimed. China launched over 1,500 reform measures, establishing general frameworks for reform in major fields, according to the report.
The national congress will deliberate on the work report for the next six days and roll out overall strategic plans and their implementation steps for the cause of the party as well as the country.
Similarly, the national congress will also amend the party congress to include key theories and strategies proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping as the party core leader for the governance of China.
After that, the congress will also elect the party's 19th Central Committee and 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. However, a new leadership will be elected for the 19th Central Committee and 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection following the conclusion of the congress.
The central committee will endorse the second term for President Xi as the general secretary of the party for the next five years.
(https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/china-to-expand-trade-investment-in-south- and-central-asia-under-bri/)
Nepali language study expanding in Chinese universities
Sangeet Sangroula, 18 July 2017, myRepublica
BEIJING, July 17: In what can be taken as a move to further deepen its engagement with Nepal, China is expanding the Nepali language study course in the bachelor's level for Chinese students in its universities.
Until now, the Communication University of China (CUC) in Beijing is the only university in China which offers Nepali language course in the bachelor's degree for Chinese students. But from coming September, two more Chinese universities are starting the bachelor's degree program with Nepali language study course for Chinese students.
From the first week of September, the Yunnan Nationalities University in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province in China, is all set to offer Nepali language study course as part of its newly launched four-year bachelor's degree in South Asian studies for the first time.
Altogether 66 students have enrolled for the course at the university.
"After having general study about South Asia in the first semester, the students will be given an option to choose one of the South Asian languages in which they want to major. The students opting to major in Nepali language will then be taught Nepali for the next three and a half years," informed Li Feiran, a Nepali teacher at the university.
Li, who has adopted a Nepali name Usha, also said that the course also offers language study option of Hindi and Urdu, among other South Asian languages apart from Nepali. "It's up to the students which language they want to study," she added.
According to her, the students opting to study Nepali language will be taught Nepali language grammar, reading, writing and listening skills and also Nepali literature translation.
Similarly, another reputed university in Xianyang of Tibet, Xizang Minzu University, is also launching Bachelor's degree program in English language study where Chinese students will study English as major and Nepali language as another subject from this September for the first time. Founded in 1958, the university is the first public university established in Tibet, which is also known as Tibet Nationalities University in English.
"As the university failed to apply for a Bachelor's degree course dedicated solely to Nepali language study, the University made the Bachelor's degree program in English language study an English-cum-Nepali language study course for now even though the course is named English Language study course," said Lin Wei, Nepali language professor in the Communication University of China for 13 years now. One of her former students has been hired as Nepali teacher for the Tibet Nationalities University.
According to her, number of the universities offering Nepali language study course has increased from one to three as Nepal's participation in the Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative is also opening up more and more opportunities for Chinese students. She also informed that the number of universities offering Nepali language may increase in the coming days.
(https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/nepali-language-study-expanding-in-chinese- universities/)
Chinese firm wants to survey, design Nepal-China railroad
Sangeet Sangroula, 9 August 2017, myRepublica
CHENGDU (SICHUAN), Aug 8: China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group Co Ltd (CREEC), which is involved in the engineering survey and design of world's one of the most difficult railway lines -- Sichuan-Tibet railway, has expressed its interest to take part in survey and design of a cross-border railway link construction project between Nepal and China.
Deputy General Manager of the company Zhang Xueca said that experience acquired by the company in the survey and design of the railway link along the highly complex mountain range and active earthquake zones of Sichuan and Tibet makes the company a potential candidate for the construction of the cross-border railway link between China and Nepal in the future.
"We are well aware that the topography along Nepal-China border is as complex as the Southwestern China where the railway line from Sichuan and Tibet is being constructed. But since we have acquired experience in the construction of railway link along one of the most complex and rough terrains in China, we can cooperate with Nepal in cross-border railway link project construction," Zhang said, at an interaction organized by China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA) last week with Asian journalists at the CREEC headquarters in Chengdu.
According to a recent news report published by Xinhua, the official news agency of China, the Sichuan-Tibet railway has four major environmental characteristics: significant terrain elevation differences, strong plate activities, frequent mountain disasters like debris flows and landslides, and a sensitive ecological environment. Zhang shared the areas along Nepal-China border also share similar features.
According to him, the company has carried out enough studies to overcome all the complexities and possible disasters in the mountain region to make the railway link operational even in extreme conditions.
During a meeting with a Nepali delegation led by the then Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara on the sidelines of the High Level Dialogue of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing in May, Chinese Vice-premier Wang Yang, who is shortly visiting Nepal, had said that China is ready to provide financial support for the construction of the cross-border railroad that would link Kerung, the nearest Chinese town from Nepal, with Kathmandu, Pokhara and Lumbini.
CREEC is also the first among four international companies shortlisted for the detailed engineering survey and design of electrified railway line for the 95-kilometer long Kohalpur- Sukhkhad section of the Mechi-Mahakali Railway, which is also known as East-West Railway. The company is also carrying out survey for a cross-border railway link from China to Laos, a south east Asian country.
CREEC officials informed that the construction of the Lhasa and Nyingchi section on the Tibet side has been completed while Chengdu and Yaan sections in Sichuan side are under construction.
However, the middle section of the railway link from Kangding to Nyingchi, which is considered to be the most difficult section, is still under design, and construction work will begin from 2019 and may take over five years. The total length of the Sichuan-Tibet railway is around 1700 kilometers and is likely to shorten the trip from Chengdu to Lhasa by 35 hours.
The railway will be second rail network to connect Tibet with more developed central as well as southwestern regions of China. And if China extends Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the first railway network that connected Tibet with central China, from Shigatse to Kerung as per its plan by 2020, Nepal can also have easy access for trade to southwestern part of China like Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou via the Sichuan-Tibet railway link in the future. The distance between Shigatse and Kerung is around 540 km.
(https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/chinese-firm-wants-to-survey-design-nepal- china-railroad/)
Nepal, China to expedite cross-border railway
Sangeet Sangroula, 8 September 2017, myRepublica
BEIJING, Sept 8: China has expressed readiness to conduct a detailed project survey, design and feasibility study to construct the much-talked-about cross-border railway between the two neighbors at the earliest in a bid to create conditions for a possible China-Nepal-India economic corridor.
At a joint press conference after a bilateral delegation-level meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Nepal Krishna Bahadur Mahara and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Thursday, both ministers informed that the two sides agreed to carry out a detailed project survey, design and feasibility study and also work in areas like personnel training and other cooperation for the construction of the cross-border railway between China and Nepal, via Kerung to Kathmandu, Pokhara and Lumbini as soon as possible, under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.
"The two sides have agreed to actively conduct a project survey, design, feasibility study and also work in areas like personnel training and other cooperation so that this mission can be translated into reality as soon as possible for the benefit of the two countries and peoples," informed Wang.
Mahara also confirmed that the two sides agreed to carry out a feasibility study survey for a cross-border railway link from Kerung to Kathmandu, Pokhara and Lumbini as early as possible.
Stating that Nepal can become a bridge and link between the two emerging economies of China and India, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang said that China looks forward to gradually creating the conditions to explore and construct the China-Nepal-India economic corridor, and jointly promote the Himalayan region to a new high ground for Asian development.
"China believes that Nepal can also develop the relationship with the two neighboring countries--China and India--in parallel. China and India, as Nepal's common neighbors, should have the minds and responsibilities of great powers, respect Nepal's legitimate rights and interests, support Nepal's independence and help Nepal develop and progress," he said.
He also said that the two sides agreed that both sides will continue to look at and develop Sino-Nepal relations from a strategic perspective and strive to elevate the long friendly and all-round cooperative partnership between China and Nepal to a new height.
During the meeting between the two sides, which lasted for over three hours, they talked in detail about the cross-border railway and other issues of bilateral cooperation that can be enhanced under the Belt and Road framework.
Though the ministers didn't disclose details about when the survey and studies for the cross- border railway link would begin, Nepalese officials who accompanied the foreign minister in the meeting said that technical work may be initiated by the end of this year or the beginning of next year.
Similarly, during meetings with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi, the construction of the cross-border railway at the earliest was focused on. They also stressed the early beginning of the studies required for the construction of the cross- border railway link.
"Minister Mahara conveyed to all the Chinese leaders that top leaders of all the political parties are one with regard to cross-border railway construction. He also said that Nepal will take all the necessary measures to initiate the cross-border project into implementation without further delay," Hari Lamichhane, press coordinator of the foreign minister, told Republica.
In May, the Chinese side had agreed in principle to provide financial support to Nepal for the construction of a cross-border railway link that would link Kerung with Kathmandu, Pokhara and Lumbini.
Nepal can also have easy access for trade to the southwestern parts of China like Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou via the Sichuan-Tibet railway link in future if the railway link is constructed on time. Similarly, Nepal can also have access in future to Tianjin port of China as per the trade and transit treaty and can do business with Russia, Europe and Central Asia.
Similarly, the two sides have agreed to speed up expansion and repair work on the Araniko Highway and the Rasuwagadhi road. The two roads are traditional land access for connecting the two neighbors.
Likewise, Chinese Minister Wang informed that the two sides have agreed to construct and upgrade the dry ports in Tatopani, Kerung and one more border point and also build the China-Nepal cross-border economic cooperation zone on the basis of the dry ports. He assured that the Tatopani point will resume soon. He said the two sides will also actively research and open other border points according to need.
Likewise, Nepal and China have also agreed to complete the joint feasibility study of the Free Trade Agreement by the end of the year. Similarly, the two sides have agreed to complete 17 post-disaster reconstruction projects on time.
Likewise, the two sides also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Energy Cooperation for strengthening cooperation in oil, gas, water, electricity and clean energy in a bid to help Nepal diversity its energy sources.
The two sides also signed another MoU on the "Nepal Tourism Promotion Year 2017" in China. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang informed that the two sides agreed that China will take initiative to open more direct flights to Nepal for the ease of Chinese travelers while Nepal will also take more measures to protect the safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese tourists.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Mahara conveyed the invitation of the prime minister to Chinese Premier Li to visit Nepal and Chinese Premier Li has also sent an invitation to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to visit China at a convenient time.
(https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/nepal-china-to-expedite-cross-border- railway/)
Nepal's joining OBOR will encourage India to do likewise: Chinese experts
Sangeet Sangroula, 13 May 2017, myRepublica
BEIJING, May 12: Chinese foreign policy experts have said that Nepal's decision to be part of China's ambitious One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative will eventually encourage reluctant India to be part of the OBOR in the future.
They said that enhanced road connectivity and increased trade relations between Nepal and China as a part of the Belt and Road initiative will eventually make India to realize its benefits and encourage to join OBOR in the future.
Hu Shisheng, South Asia expert at China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, said that Nepal has a big role to play to bring China and India together and to materialize the vision of trilateral economic cooperation. "If Nepal gets sustainably connected to China physically, I don't think India can stop the momentum," he said.
Hu argued that the northern parts of India can equally benefit from Nepal-China physical connectivity. "The local governments of northern India will mount pressure on the central government to make the right choice, which is economic cooperation between Nepal and China," he opined.
While welcoming Nepal's decision to be part of the initiative, Hu said future cooperation on physical connectivity and other mega infrastructure will move forward more systematically and can be carried out in practicable framework now with Nepal's participation in the OBOR framework.
"The bilateral cooperation won't also be easily disturbed by other external forces. Nepal's decision to be part of OBOR shows that it has finally gotten rid of the hesitation in making choices on what serves its national interest best," he said, while pointing out the need for major political parties in Nepal to forge consensus to effectively pursue and implement projects under OBOR.
Major political parties in Nepal are still at odds over issues such as Free Trade Agreement and railway linkage feasibility studies which are part of OBOR. "Signing the framework agreement on OBOR is a result of the political consultation among major political parties and if they had not done it, it would not have been possible for the ruling parties to reach the kind of consensus. They should continue similar consultations in the future and make environment for effective and timely implementation of the projects between Nepal and China," Hu further said.
Wang Dehua, director of the Institute for South and Central Asia Studies in Shanghai, also said that Nepal's participation in OBOR is strategically important as it will not only enhance sustainable railway and highway connectivity between Nepal and China followed by strong economic cooperation but also bring India to be part of the OBOR.
Wang said that Nepal's participation in OBOR will now boost confidence of the Chinese government to encourage Chinese private sector to invest in the country in a massive scale. The government of China will now promote private enterprises to invest in Nepal and China's investment may exceed over US$ 20 billion in Nepal, Wang speculated.
(https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/nepals-joining-obor-will-encourage-india-to- do-likewise-chinese-experts/)
China announces to provide $ 8.7 billion to developing countries
Sangeet Sangroula, 14 May 2017, myRepublica
BEIJING, May 14: China has announced to provide assistance worth 8.7 billionUS dollar to developing countries and international organizations participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.
Delivering a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing on Sunday, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that China will provide assistance worth 8.7 billion US dollar to developing countries and international organizations participating in the Belt and Road Initiative to launch more projects for infrastructure connectivity.
Developing countries like Nepal which have already signed Memorandum of Understanding to be part of the China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative can reap massive benefit in infrastructure development, among others from the announcement.
Chinese President Xi also announced that China will contribute an additional 14.5 US dollar to the Silk Road Fund.
The Chinese government has already pledged to provide 40 billion US dollar in the fund, which provides financing support for implementation of infrastructural projects in the countries which are part of Belt and Road Initiative.
The Silk Road Fund was officially founded in December 2014 and jointly backed by China's foreign exchange reserves, the China Investment Corp., the Export-Import Bank of China (China Exim Bank) and China Development Bank (CDB).
He also said that China will set up 50 joint laboratories with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative to enhance cooperation on innovation.
Stating that Infrastructure connectivity is the foundation for cooperation and development, Chinese President Xi said all the countries involved in the initiative will share equal benefits from the economic integration and interconnected development.
"We should make great efforts to promote land, maritime, air and cyberspace connectivity, focus on key passageways, cities and projects, and connect networks of highways, railways and sea ports," he said, adding, the initiative is open to all countries from Asia, Europe, Africa or the Americas.
He also said that all the countries should respect each other's sovereignty, dignity and territorial integrity, each other's development paths and social systems, and each other's core interests and major concerns.
A high-level delegation of Nepal led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Krishna Bahadur Mahara also attended the opening ceremony of the forum. Mahar is scheduled to address a session entitled "Connectivity of Development Polices and Strategies".
Altogether 29 heads of state and government, as well as over 70 leaders of international organizations, 100 ministerial-level officials from around the world and 1,200 other delegates from various countries and regions have also participated. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President RecepTayyipErdoğan had also delivered their speech in the opening ceremony of the forum.
More than 40 countries and international organizations have signed memorandum of understanding to be part of the Belt and Road Initiative so far.
(https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/china-announces-to-provide-8-7-billion-to- developing-countries/)
China agrees to provide financial assistance for cross-border railway link
Sangeet Sangroula, 15 May 2017, myRepublica
BEIJING, May 15: China has agreed in principle to provide financial support to Nepal for the construction of a cross-border railway link that would link Kerung with Kathmandu, Pokhara and Lumbini, according to Minister for Information, Surendra Kumar Karki.
During a meeting with a Nepali delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara on the sidelines of the High Level Dialogue of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing on Sunday, Chinese Vice-premier Wang Yang said that China will provide financial support for the construction of the cross- border railway link.
"Vice-premier Wang was very positive about our proposal for the construction of a cross- border railway link between Nepal and China via Kerung to Kathmandu and Lumbini. The Chinese side has said that they are ready to provide financial support for the construction of the cross-border railway link," Minister Karki told Republica.
Karki said that the authorities of both countries will initiate discussion on the matter and sign railway protocols soon. "Both sides have reached an understanding to complete all the necessary preparations like feasibility study to materialize the cross-border link construction and sign railway protocols as soon as possible," he added.
Karki said the Government of Nepal will play the role of a facilitator to implement the project. A statement issued by the Nepalese Embassy in China also said that the Chinese side has advised that relevant agencies could start discussions on constructing railways in Nepal.
During Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's visit to China in March, Chinese President Xi Jinping had also said that the Chinese government is ready to initiate the construction work of the cross-border railway link between the two neighbors and boost trade and connectivity.
On Sunday, Nepal and China also signed two separate Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on Cross Border Economic Zones, and upgradation of the Rasuwagadhi- Syaprubeshi Road. The Chinese side has agreed to upgrade the single lane Rasuwagadhi- Syapubeshi Road to a two-lane road.
As part of the understandings reached on Cross Border Economic Zone, both countries will work to explore other alternative routes to connect with the railway link and roads of Tibet in China.
According to Minister Karki, Vice-premier Wang appreciated Nepal's recent decision to sign the MoU to be a part of the Belt and Road Initiative and said that the agreement has opened the door for mutual cooperation not only in enhancing physical connectivity but also boosting trade and people-to-people contact between the two countries.
The Chinese side has also agreed to expedite the implementation of all understandings and agreements reached between Nepal and China while KP Sharma Oli was Nepal's Prime Minister. "They have stressed the early finalization of the Protocol to the Transit Transport Agreement signed between the two countries and the Free Trade Agreement," he added.
Vice-premier Wang reiterated that the Chinese side would take the matter concerning the reopening of the Tatopani border point with priority. The border point was the main trade route between China and Nepal, until the 2015 devastating earthquake.
(https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/china-agrees-to-provide-financial-assistance- for-cross-border-railway-link/)
A self-sustaining museum
Sangeet Sangroula, 23 June 2017, myRepublica
XIAMEN (FUJIAN): It all began when Yang Hanjing came up with an idea of opening a café with antique décor ten years ago. In 2007, Hanjing from port city of Xiamen, China quit his job as the head of creative department of an advertising agency and rented an old villa built in 1950 to set up a cafe.
"I always dreamt of owning a café decorated with antique household items. So I quit my job and decided to pursue my dream," said the 32-year-old Hanjing. He describes himself as "someone who has always been fascinated by old, antique things".
Since he wanted to use old, outdated household items for interior decoration of the villa, Hanjing initiated the task of collecting ordinary household items that were 50-100 years old from locals in several cities of the Fujian province.
He hired and mobilized around 42 individuals in various cities of the province to contact families that possessed such household items and then bought them.
"The process of collecting the items was time consuming and difficult. Identifying families willing to sell their old household items took a lot of time," he said.
Hanjing mentioned that none of the families were ready to part with their old things for free, and that left him with no option but to haggle for a reasonable price and then buy them.
But slowly and steadily, items started coming into the villa.
"My collectors would not just come with the antique items but also shared stories behind them as narrated by the families," he said, adding, "The stories really offered deep insights not only into the past lifestyle of the province but also, I would say, old China. It really fascinated me very much."
He said that the stories shared by families fascinated him so much so that it changed his "modest liking" for old, outdated, vintage household items into an obsession.
According to him, it took his team more than three years to collect over 3,000 antique household items. The collection ranged from antique furniture like tables, chairs, beds, bookracks and closets to other household items like table fans, rotary telephones, abacus, table and wall clocks, pianos, typewriters, sewing machines, lamps, cassettes and cassettes players, books, vintage black and white televisions, wall paintings, photographs, books, flower vase, ceramic dishes, artifacts and traditional ceramic tiles, among other various items.
"I liked the 20th century traditional ceramic floor tiles and ceramic dishes most above all the collected items for their unique flowery designs," he shared.
He said that he spent over 10 million RMB to purchase the old items in the duration of three years including salaries of his staffs and rent of the villa, among other expenses.
In 2011, after three years of collection, his dream finally materialized. But in 2014, Hanjing decided to transform his café into an architectural art museum named "Good One Old Storage."
"All the cities in China have changed a lot with rapid development and modernization and our memories are fading away with every passing year. So, I thought transforming the café into a museum would serve better to help people understand the recent past in relation to the present day," he said.
Access to the museum is free for visitors and Hanjing has made the museum self-sustaining by manufacturing cultural products. His team now manufactures old style Chinese floor tiles and ceramic dishes, popular among people in Xiamen until 1990, and sells them.
"As ceramic items have unique cultural value, we decided to manufacture them and use the profit to sustain the museum," he said, adding that his museum has not had to seek funds from the local government or any other organizations so far.
"Instead of charging entry fee, we encourage our visitors to buy our products. This way, we are creating market for our products," he shared.
He said that his company has been selling the ceramic items to visitors as well as supplying them to other cities as well. "Both local as well as foreign tourists buy our products as gift items," he said.
In a bid to support the museum, the local government in Xiamen has decided to use the ceramic tiles at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport. Similarly, Hanjing and his team have set up a traditional style kitchen inside the museum where, for a certain amount, visitors can experience the traditional cooking style.
"This is also a part of our business model to make the museum self-sustaining. This way, we have not only been able to sustain the museum but also create jobs for over 72 individuals and make money as well," he shared.
His team is now planning to set up a similar old household items museum in other big cities of China like Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Beijing, and Guangzhou.
"State-run museums can also be made self-sustaining by finding ways to support them through entrepreneurship," concluded Hanjing.
(https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/a-self-sustaining-museum/)
Chinese students helping quake victims suggest Nepal government to expedite post- quake reconstruction
Sangeet Sangroula, 2 July 2017, myRepublica
BEIJING, July 2: Frustration over the government's failure in expediting the post-earthquake reconstruction even after two years of the devastating April 25 earthquake is obvious among Nepalese. However, the aggravation is not limited only among Nepali people.
Having raised money for the quake victims, Chinese students studying Nepali language at the Communication University of China (CUC) are equally disappointed over the delayed reconstruction, and want the Nepali government to reverse the trend.
The 63-year-old university is the only varsity in China which offers Nepali language study course in Bachelor's degree for Chinese students. As many as 16 students are enrolled for the course once in every four years.
"Since we are students of Nepali language and have spent a good bit of time in the country, we have special attachment to Nepal than any other neighboring countries. News from Nepal about hardships facing the quake victims that have been living under temporary shelters and slow reconstruction of heritage sites even after two years of the disaster disappoints us," said 22-year-old Luo Jinying, one of the students in Nepali language who has adopted a Nepali name, Grishma.
These students still have fresh memories of when there were in Nepal to help the quake victims. Therefore, they decided to raise money and help supply relief materials to the victims.
As many as 15 Chinese students majoring in Nepali language had stayed in Nepal from September, 2014 till January, 2015. They attended the first four months of their third year's course as visiting students in Campus of International Languages (Bishwo Bhasa Campus), Kathmandu as part of an exchange program between Tribhuvan University and Communication University of China.
Another student Liang Jiaqi, whose Nepali name is Kareena, said, "As Nepal is a world renowned tourism destination, the government should finish reconstructing the damaged heritage sites pronto."
However, another student Xue Su, whose Nepali name is Shreya, expressed concern over the delayed reconstruction in worst quake-hit districts. "People like us from across the world, who love Nepal, helped the country at the time of disaster. Now, it is time for the government to play its part seriously," she added.
(https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/mycity/news/chinese-students-helping-quake- victims-want-nepali-government-to-reverse-the-trend-in-reconstruction)
High-level Nepali visit at Gansu trade fair likely
Sangeet Sangroula, 1 July 2017, myRepublica
Nepal an important cooperative partner in BRI: China
BEIJING, July 1: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China has hinted of a possible high- level visit from Nepal to China in the first week of July for a trade fair which focuses on trades and investments along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) routes.
Speaking in the regular press conference of the ministry on Thursday, China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang informed that Nepal is an important partner in the BRI and the two sides are communicating on the attendance of Nepal's high-level delegation in the 23rd China Lanzhou Investment and Trade Fair.
"The Chinese side views Nepal as an important cooperative partner for the building of the Belt and Road and welcomes Nepal's participation at the 23rd China Lanzhou Investment and Trade Fair as a guest of honor. The two sides are communicating on the attendance of Nepal's high-level delegation," he said while responding to a query about whether Nepali leaders will attend the event or not.
The yearly fair is scheduled for July 6 to 9 in Lanzhou, Gansu of China this year. Nepal will be a guest of honor in the fair where representatives of government and investors from other Belt and Road countries will also attend.
Stating that there has been rapid development of bilateral cooperation between China and Nepal in various fields in recent years, he also said that the Chinese side will take the opportunity of jointly pushing forward the BRI to cement China-Nepal friendship and expand mutually beneficial cooperation.
"Leaders of the two countries have reached broad consensus in areas such as as connectivity, free trade and post-disaster reconstruction and inked an inter-governmental memorandum of understanding on cooperation under the BRI. Not long ago, the two sides held fruitful diplomatic consultations. The Chinese side will move forward the comprehensive cooperative partnership featuring ever-lasting friendship between the two countries," he added.
If the minister level delegation participates in the fair, it will be another high-level delegation visiting China from Nepal in the interval of more than a month in a row. A high-level delegation led by the then deputy prime minister and Finance Minister and now deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara had visited China to participate in the first Belt and Road Forum last month.
(https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/high-level-nepali-visit-at-gansu-trade-fair- likely/)
Nepal's participation in Belt and Road forum to enhance ties: Envoy Paudyal
Sangeet Sangroula, 10 May 2017, myRepublica
BEIJING, May 10: Nepali ambassador to China Leela Mani Paudyal said that Nepal's participation in China's ambitious One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative is going to add new momentum to Nepal-China relations.
Addressing a function organized by the Nepal Embassy in Beijing to mark the 2561st Buddha Jayanti on Wednesday, Ambassador Paudyal said that participation of a high-level delegation from Nepal in the upcoming Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) will further deepen not only economic but also cultural cooperation between the two neighbors.
"Nepal is participating with a high-level delegation in the Belt and Road summit to be held in Beijing as proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Our participation is going to achieve a new momentum to Nepal and China bilateral relations," he said.
Ambassador Paudyal also said that the Belt and Road Forum will also play a crucial role in promoting cultural cooperation among the countries.
The BRF is going to be held in Beijing on May 14 and 15 with the theme "Strengthening International Cooperation and Co-building the 'Belt and Road' for Win-win Development".
A high-level delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara is arriving in China on May 12 to participate in the first international conference on OBOR. The delegation will include Minister for Physical Planning and Transport Management Ramesh Lekhak and Information and Communications Minister Surendra Karki.
According to Nepal Embassy officials here in Beijing, the delegation is also likely to sign two agreements for establishing cross border economic zone and energy cooperation.
As many as 28 heads of state and government and high-level representatives of 50 world organizations have already confirmed their participation in the conference.
The opening ceremony of the BRF will be held on the morning of May 14, followed by the high-level conference. The leaders' roundtable summit will be held on May 15. Chinese President Xi will attend the opening ceremony and chair the leaders' roundtable.
(https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/participation-in-obor-enhances-bilateral-ties- ambassador-paudyal/)
Dahal visit improved relations: Chinese experts
Sangeet Sangroula, 30 March 2017, myRepublica
BEIJING, March 30: Despite concerns to the contrary in Nepal, Chinese foreign policy experts see Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's seven-day visit to China as a positive development in bilateral relations and in strengthening economic cooperation between the two neighbors.
Though no formal agreements were reached on One Belt One Road, cross-border railway links or other bilateral issues during Prime Minister Dahal's visit, they say the visit has tried to send out the message that the current government is willing to give continuity to the understandings reached in the past for improving bilateral economic cooperation.
Hu Shisheng, South Asia expert at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said Prime Minister Dahal wants to show that no matter which party is in power, bilateral relations between the two countries will move forward. "In this regard, the visit is very constructive and also sends out a very positive message," he added.
He said the prime minister has spoken highly of the One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative, improving connectivity between the two countries and encouraging Chinese investment in Nepal, which is a good gesture. "So, in my view, his visit has definitely helped further strengthen bilateral relations," he reiterated.
He opined that the Chinese side doesn't blame the current government for not implementing the documents signed by the previous government.
"In terms of implementing the understandings and agreements reached by the last government, the current government is facing lots of problems like how to implement the new constitution, how to carry forward the elections and how to demarcate provinces. Even post-earthquake reconstruction has not been the top priority of the current government," he said, adding, "In this regard, I think the agreements and understandings reached with China will be carried forward once the problems are settled within the framework of the new constitution."
He said that if Nepal becomes part of OBOR, constructing railway linkages, transit facilities and even the terms and conditions of a future free trade agreement can be naturally carried forward, which will mean implementation of the agreements and understandings reached in the past.
Wang Dehua, head of the Institute for South and Central Asian Studies at the Shanghai Municipal Center for International Studies, said the prime minister's visit has strengthened bilateral relations as he met Chinese President Xi Jinping and pledged to be part of OBOR, and the president also said China is ready to support Nepal in extending railway linkages and boosting trade and connectivity.
"I don't think Prachanda [Dahal] is more pro-India. He has tried to maintain neutral policy. His visit is helpful for our economic cooperation especially under OBOR and also the China- Nepal-India economic corridor," he said.
Similarly, Liu Zongyi of the Centre of Global Economy and Southasian Studies at Shanghai Institutes for International Studies said the prime minister has tried to pursue bilateral economic cooperation.
He believes that when Dahal came to power for the second time, he changed his previous stance. "If Xi had visited Nepal at that time, it would be meaningless," he added.
He said that if Nepal shifts its policy with China, it will be very difficult for Chinese companies to go to Nepal for cooperative projects.
He said that Nepal and China should actively increase economic cooperation and this can be instrumental in luring India to participate in trilateral economic cooperation.
"Repeated meetings between Xi and the PM have improved [realtions] a lot. Meeting him in India improved the trust. But how the next government led by Nepali Congress will maintain stability will be a main thing," he added.
(https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/dahal-visit-improved-relations-chinese- experts/)
China ready to build Nepal-China rail link: Xi
Sangeet Sangroula, 28 March 2017, myRepublica
Stresses Nepal should maintain good relations with India also BEIJING, March 28: Chinese President Xi Jinping has informed Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal that the Chinese government is ready to initiate construction work on the cross- border railway link between the two neighbors and boost trade and connectivity.
During a meeting with Prime Minister Dahal and his delegation at the Great Hall of the People here on Monday, President Xi said that the Chinese side is ready to initiate work on extending its railway link to Nepal and support its infrastructure development, Govinda Acharya, the prime minister's press advisor, told Republica.
Prime Minister Dahal, who is on a seven-day visit to China, held a meeting with President Xi for over 35 minutes during which they discussed various bilateral issues and other matters of mutual interest, informed Acharya.
The Chinese president discussed with interest Nepal's political stability and infrastructure development including rail connectivity, and also the issue of reopening Tatopani, the main trade route between China and Nepal, which was damaged by earthquake in 2015, informed Acharya.
"Chinese President Xi has said that he has taken all the issues including the reopening of the Tatopani trade route positively and said China is ready to work together to enhance connectivity between the two countries," Acharya said.
Meanwhile, state-owned China Global Television Network (CGTN) quoted President Xi as saying at the meeting between the Nepali and Chinese teams: "Our countries have maintained close coordination in various levels including politics and military. We strongly pursue connectivity, post-disaster reconstruction as well as advancing infrastructures and people to people exchanges. I am glad to see this progress. We should work together to create a new momentum of friendly cooperation."
CGTN quoted Xi as saying that "both countries should also deepen cooperation in tourism, culture and media", as well as energy, trade and connectivity.
Prime Minister Dahal said that Nepal is ready to cooperate and work together with China on the One Belt One Road (OBOR) Initiative. "A memorandum on the OBOR will be signed soon," Acharya said.
Dahal likewise discussed with Xi all the understandings and agreements reached between the two countries in the recent past and thanked China for its support in post-earthquake reconstruction. China is a major supporter of the ongoing post-earthquake reconstruction in Nepal.
"Chinese President Xi said that he and his government attach importance to all the understandings and agreements reached between the two countries and will soon reach a formal agreement on these issues and move forward for implementation," Acharya said. Nepal and China had signed 10 separate agreements and memoranda including the historic trade, transit and free trade agreements in March last year. But the agreements have not been implemented even after a year as the Nepal government has not been able to reach formal agreements with China.
"We will soon sign formal agreements on all the understandings reached between the two countries and move forward to work together and create a new momentum in friendly cooperation," he added.
Chinese President Xi also said that the change in government in Nepal doesn't hamper bilateral relations. "President Xi said that the bilateral relations between the two neighbors is strong and China is ready to support people-to-people exchanges between the two countries," Acharya said.
Stating that Nepal and China have good relations, Xi also stressed to Prime Minister Dahal to maintain good relations with southern neighbor India.
Prime Minister Dahal said the meeting between him and President Xi will be "another important milestone" in Nepal-China bilateral relations as the Chinese president has responded positively on the issues and concerns raised by the Nepali side during their meeting.
Chinese President Xi also said that the change in the government in Nepal doesn't hamper the bilateral relations between Nepal-China.
Prime Minister Dahal invitted President Xi to visit Nepal, said Acharya" "President Xi has said that he would visit Nepal at an appropriate tim"."
This is Prime Minister Dahal's first visit to China since becoming prime minister for the second time. He had met President Xi on the sidelines of the BRICS-BIMSTEC outreach summit in Goa, India in October.
Dahal will arrive in Lhasa, Tibet on March 28 and stay there overnight. He is scheduled to arrive back in Kathmandu on March 29.
Meanwhile, the Chinese president has expressed pleasure over Nepal's announcement of local polls and announced financial assistance of 9 million rmb for holding the polls, informed press advisor Acharya.
(https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/china-ready-to-build-nepal-china-rail-link- xi/)
