HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN Gangtok, Sikkim Aug 29,
2012
HERMONITES KINDLY NOTE THE NAMES OF HERMONITES OF THE PICTURES BELOW - Jigme N Kazi's blog is : www.jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com
Tibetans want distinct identity within
China
We are not seeking to secede from China: Dicki Chhoyang
Exiled Tibetan Prime Minister Lobsang
Sangay with Minister of International Relations Dicki Chhoyang
Dharamsala, Aug 28: The objective
of the “Tibetan struggle” is to exist within China and within the framework of
the Chinese constitution but with the “distinct cultural identity” of the
Tibetans intact, according to Dicki Chhoyang, Minister of the Department of
Information and International Relations of the exiled Tibetan government.
This
message was conveyed to the international community during a meeting of
parliamentarians in South Africa recently.
"Fundamentally,
the Tibetan struggle is about a people's fight for its right to exist with its
own distinct cultural identity and language within the provisions of the
Chinese constitution. This includes the right to practice their religion openly
and without hindrance from the State as permitted in all free countries. We are
not seeking to secede from China," Chhoyang said.
Since
2009, 49 Tibetans have self-immolated to express their emphatic rejection of
Chinese repressive policies in Tibetan areas. All have called for greater
freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet. "Despite
Kalon Tripa Lobsang Sangay's appeal to not resort to such drastic actions,
Tibetans inside Tibet have continued to do so because there is no conventional
space for protest. Hence, we feel a moral obligation to speak on their behalf
and appeal to all people of conscience to stand in solidarity with them,"
Chhoyang added.
She
said the contribution that Tibetans wish to make to the world is that of
asserting the value of non-violence as a tool of political action and bringing
to the fore the universal fraternity of all human beings irrespective of race
and religion.
Sangma launches National People’s Party,
to work for tribal unity
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| PA Sangma |
Shillong, Aug 28: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Meghalaya on
Friday merged with National People’s Party (NPP), a newly-formed outfit formed
by PA Sangma.
Sangma,
who had resigned from NCP as its General Secretary and unsuccessfully contested
the Presidential poll against Pranab Mukherjee last month, would be NPP’s
president.
Altogether
13 out of 14 NCP legislators, including two of Sangma’s sons Conrad (leader of
opposition) and James Sangma, backed their father, PTI reported.
"Once
I was considered one of the most powerful men in Congress... Yet I quit that
party not for any bigger post but for my principle," Sangma said while
addressing the formal launch of the new party in the state.
The
former Lok Sabha Speaker was expelled from Congress, together with Sharad Pawar
and Tariq Anwar in 1999, for opposing Sonia Gandhi’s Prime Ministerial
aspirations citing her foreign origin.
"I
said back then only an Indian by birth should be the Prime Minister of the
country and I stick to my principle," he said.
Sangma
said he was faced with this dilemma of taking forward the aspirations of
millions of tribals who wanted to see a tribal president.
Sangma
said though the vast tribal population is spread across the country it has
"not got their due share" and so NPP would try to give tribals their
rightful dues.
Pointing
out that the country has 57 tribal MPs, Sangma said "if we can come
together, who can touch us? The launch of NPP is towards uniting the tribal in
the country."
JK leader for inclusion of Kashmiris in
Pak-India talks
Srinagar, Aug 28: Chairman of All Parties Hurriyet Conference Mirwaiz
Umar Farooq has stressed the need to include Kashmiri leadership in the
dialogue process between Pakistan and India to make it meaningful and
result-oriented.
Briefing the media here recently, the APHC
Chairman said, “India and Pakistan are talking. Indo-Pak dialogue is not
enough. There has to be Kashmiris’ participation in the parleys.” He said that
the confidence building measures and economic issues could build much better
trust level between the two countries, Kashmir
Media Service reported.
He said that the Kashmir dispute couldn’t be
pushed on the backburner. “There is realization in India that Kashmir movement
is indigenous. The revolutions in Middle East have made India and Pakistan
realize that they cannot ignore issues,” he said, adding that despite its
internal problems, Pakistan had always supported the Kashmir cause and it had
been a part of its foreign policy.
Mirwaiz
maintained that India needed to change its traditional approach towards
Kashmir. “I think 2008, 2009 and 2010 had given an opportunity to the Indian
leadership to think, to discuss and deliberate but they chose to look on other
side. The problem with New Delhi is that they only come to terms when there is
a fire fighting situation. The moment they feel things are manageable and under
control they tend to forget the past. This approach has to change. It is
unfortunate that Army and paramilitary forces are playing a much bigger
political role today,” he said.
He said that India was resorting to political,
economic, social or cultural aggression to distort the Kashmiri culture and
identity.
The
Mirwaiz said that the Hurriyet leadership didn’t need to prove its
representative character by participating in elections as polls in the
territory were aimed at addressing the day-to-day problems of the people. He
said that the Hurriyet would only take part in a referendum under the
supervision of neutral observers that was intended to ascertain the aspirations
of the Kashmiri people about their future.
Bhutan seeks China’s support on UN seat
Beijing, Aug 28:
Bhutan has sought China's support for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security
Council for the term 2013-14. This was revealed by the Bhutanese government
after its leaders held border talks with a visiting Chinese delegation in
Thimphu on Friday.
"The talks were held in a warm and friendly
atmosphere," the Bhutanese foreign ministry said in a statement. "It
will provide the opportunity for the two nations to better understand each
other's positions, which will facilitate an early and just settlement of the
boundary issues."
The meeting discussed Bhutan's aspiration to serve as a
non-permanent member of UNSC, elections for which are scheduled for October
this year, said Bhutan's leading English daily, Kuensel.
An eight-member Chinese delegation led by vice foreign
minister Fu Ying participated in the border talks just six weeks after the two
countries established diplomatic ties for the first time. China is expected to
bargain hard before helping Bhutan achieve its international ambitions in the
form of a non-permanent seat at UNSC.
Tibetan film Drapchi
selected for Warsaw film fest
 |
| Tibetan opera singer Namgyal Lhamo in Drapchi |
New Delhi, Aug 28:
After its world premiere and impressive response at Osians Cinefan, Arvind
Iyer's debut feature Drapchi has been
selected for the 28th Warsaw International Film Festival in October.
Written by Pooja Ladha Surti and produced by Iceberg Nine
Films, the 78-minute-long film, shot in four countries and starring acclaimed
Tibetan Opera singer Namgyal Lhamo, will be screened in the World Today section
of the festival.
Drapchi attracted
a motley crowd of world cinema lovers at Osian's where both Iyer and Lhamo were
present.
Asked about the response the film received at the festival,
Iyer told PTI, "A scene when Yiga Gyalnang (Namgyal Lhamo) is seen running
her hands on a barbed wire fence on an icy cold winter day, when her voice says
'As long as Wise Spirits live, Tibet will Live' was very much appreciated.
"That one liner juxtaposed with Lhamo's explosive track
'Changkha' and the barbed wire that pinched hearts and triggered a lump in the
throat seemed to encapsulate the times that Tibetans live in."
The film has been signed on by Hollywood whiz and publicist
Linda Brown who has worked on movies such as 2012 Sundance Festival winners Valley of Saints and Middle of Nowhere.
Asked if he felt that his work would fan trouble with the
Chinese, Iyer says, "A lot of people ask me that and I don't know what to
say anymore because I try and look at Tibet from a 'Tibetan-inside-Tibet'
perspective and I have always maintained that the Tibet belongs to Tibetans.
"However, there is a systematic run down of tradition
and culture inside of Tibet and this is where artists such as Namgyal Lhamo
continue to play such a massive role in keeping that cultural flag flying
high."
First Tibetan
Olympian wins medal for China
Russia's gold medalist Yelena Lashmanov (C), Russia's silver
medalist Olga Kaniskina (L) and China's bronze medalist Qieyang Shenjie pose on
the podium of the women's 20km walk at the athletics event of the London 2012
Olympic Games in London. (pix:AFP)
London, Aug 28: Choeyang Kyi (Qieyang Shenjie in
Chinese), a Tibetan athlete from Tibet, won a bronze medal for China in the
recently-concluded Olympics held here.
Choeyang won a bronze medal in the women's 20-kilometer race walk.
"I'm extremely honored to take part as the first representative of the
Tibetans at the Olympic Games and to win a medal," she said.
She said she heard Tibetans encouraging her along the route that went
past the residence of Queen Elizabeth II, AP reported.
"I heard it! Really. I heard
a Tibetan cheering me on. At the time, I looked backward but couldn't see who
that person was," Choeyang said.
In China, the government-run Xinhua News
Agency and other media said Qieyang was the first Tibetan to make it to a
Chinese Olympic team.
Work at Demchok in Ladakh stops under Chinese pressure
Srinagar, Aug 28:
For the third time in last three years, under the Chinese pressure the work on
one more development project has been stopped in Demchok area of Leh district
in Ladakh region, officials said.
Official in Leh said
work on the project was temporarily suspended and the authorities are trying to
find out what had exactly happened.
Sources said that the
Chinese Army has reportedly asked the officials, contractor and other workers
to suspend work on an irrigation project in Demchok area near the Actual Line
of Actual Control (LAC).
Officials said that
the project had been started in 2004-05. Under the project, water according to
officials, is to be transferred from the Indus River into a 3.5 km-long
irrigation canal. The river water according official sources was also supposed
to be used for developing pastures to help the local people, who earn
livelihood by rearing cattle in these border areas.
Demchok is on lower right corner. Looks like it falls
into Chinese administered area, or the area where there is no demarcation and a
lot of confusion persists.
Official sources said
that the latest incident is the third time in last three years that a major
development project was stopped in Leh under Chinese pressure. “We had to
suspend the construction of passenger sheds in same area in 2010 after their
objection,” a state government official said adding that the matter was later
reported to Army guarding the area. He added that another road project was
abandoned by the state government after China's strong objection. “This is the
third incident,” he said.
District Development
Commissioner (DDC) Leh T Angchuk told Greater
Kashmir over telephone that the work has been stopped on the project and
not abandoned. “The work has been stopped and not abandoned,” he said and added
that the matter has been first reported by the concerned contractor. “We are
verifying the facts and want to know what exactly has happened,” he said.
DDC said that area
where the site falls is located on India side. “There the river bisects the
area and we are unable to understand what is the problem to them (China),” he
said and added that yet there is local witness that they (Chinese) have crossed
over to this side. “I have asked the army to be more vigilant and speed up the
patrolling of the area. We are hopeful the work would be started on the project
again,” T Angchuk said.
Heritage status for Himachal hotel
Shimla, Aug 28:
Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (HPTDC)- run Hotel Castle
in Naggar in district Kullu has been accorded with Heritage status by Union ministry
of Tourism.
The Castle was built by Raja Sidhi Singh in early 16th
century. It is believed that stones for
construction were brought from Gharhdhek of Baragarh across the river Beas.
Another belief is that stones were passed on to the site by a human chain from
the ruins of the fortified palace of Rana Bhosal called Gharhdhek situated
below the present Baragaon village.
No metal or iron was used in the fixing of two main doors of
the Castle. The wooden beams used in the walls here prepared from whole trees.
The Castle was used as a royal residence and state headquarter until the middle
of the 17th century, when Raja Jagat Singh transferred the capital to Sultanpur
in Kullu.
However, Castle continued to be used as a summer palace by
subsequent rulers until the British took over the whole of Kangra and Kullu
from Sikh’s in 1846, when Raja Gyan Signh sold it to the first Assistant
Commissioner, Major Hay, for a gun.
The latter converted the northern wing to the European way
of living by putting in staircase, fireplace and chimneys. He later sold it to
the government when it was used as a Court House.
In 1947, with the departure of the British, the court
activity ceased but its door remained open for visitors and travellers as it
was converted into a civil rest house and later converted into a hotel in 1978.
The Hotel has tastefully done rooms and was extensively
re-furbished in 2003-05 by HPTDC.
Editorial
FIX ACCOUNTABILITY
No Excuses For Losses
The UPA Government’s much-hyped talk on transparency and accountability
in public life came to naught when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh very
sheepishly refused to hold responsibility for losses running into thousands of
crores of rupees in the “coalgate scam”. Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, too,
seems to have absolved of his responsibilities in the 2G scam. While Singh has
refused to accept the CAG report stating that it was “baseless”, the Congress
party feels that the Supreme Court has given a clean chit to its Finance
Minister. However, the BJP has rightly pointed out that Chidambaram was very
much a part of the decision- making process in fixing the Spectrum price along
with A Raja "disregarding" the advice of Finance Ministry's officials
for auctioning the Spectrum.
Seeking a trust
vote in the Parliament on the coal scam is an easy way out to escape
responsibility. Like the presidential polls the UPA has the numbers to win the
trust vote. But will it win the hearts of the people if a mid-term poll takes
place now? “I wish to say that any allegations of impropriety are without basis
and unsupported by the facts,” Singh’s statement in the Parliament said,
challenging the national auditor whose report states that private firms gained
windfall benefits of upto 1.86 lakh crores because coal fields were not auctioned,
and were given to them at under-valued rates. Given the present nationwide anti-graft
campaign it will be very difficult for the Congress to convince the people that
it is clean and that it has not benefited financially from the companies that
were assigned coal fields. Singh was the coal minister when the coal
allocations were made in 2004-05. While the Comptroller and Auditor General did
not indict the Prime Minister's Office in its report, it said that the
screening committee that decided who would get coal fields followed a system
that lacked transparency.
The Bhutia Busty Gompa in Darjeeling
The Bhutia
Busty monastery in Darjeeling was originally located at Mahakal hill
By Sonam Deki
Dotsuk Gompa at Bhutia Busty in
Darjeeling
The Bhutia Busty, the oldest monastery
in Darjeeling, was first located on Observatory Hill, located above
Chowrasta. It was built in 1765 by Lama
Dorje Rinzing when Darjeeling was still a part of the Kingdom of Sikkim. The
name Darjeeling is believed to have originated when monks of the monastery
referred to the region as ‘Dorje-ling’, meaning the land of the thunderbolt.
Another school of thought believes that it was
named after Dorje Rinzing. The monastery was sacked by the Nepalese in 1815. It
was rebuilt in 1861 and was moved to its present location in 1879. The
ill-fated monastery was again destroyed by a 1934 earthquake and owes its
present existence to the Chogyal of Sikkim.
Spectacular views of the
Kanchenjunga can be had from the Bhutia Busty Monastery (also known locally as Do-tsuk
Gompa, meaning erect (tsuk) stone (do)).
This was originally a branch of the Nyingmapa (Red sect) sect’s Phodong
monastery in North Sikkim.
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| The Bhutia Busty monastery in Darjeeling in 1870s |
Observatory Hill (locally
referred to as Mahakal dara (hill) dates
back to the 18th century when a monastery was built here. Its significance
increased under British rule as many British officials and affluent local
families chose to reside in the locale. It now houses the temple of Mahakal and
is said to be the religious centre for all local inhabitants.
Earl of Ronaldshay (erstwhile
president of the Royal Geographical Society) says, “In the interests of
historical accuracy I should, perhaps, add that I believe the commonly accepted
explanation to be incorrect. A derivation seldom heard, but which I have the
best of grounds for believing to be correct, is that which attributes the word
Dorje in the first half of Darjeeling to the name of a lama, Dorje Rinzing, who
founded the monastery which once stood on Observatory Hill.”
The Bengal Gazeteer of 1947 says that Darjeeling and its
neighbouring areas were originally a dominion of the Sikkim kingdom. During the
reign of Sikkim’s Chogyal Chagdor Namgyal (1700-16), the area to the south-east
as well as Kalimpong and Rhenock were lost to Bhutan. Though reclaimed briefly,
towards the end of the 18th century (1788-89), the Gurkhas of Nepal over ran
Sikkim as far east as Teesta River and annexed the Terai grassland region.
After the termination of Anglo-Nepalese War (1816) tract which Nepal had
wrested from Sikkim was ceded to East India Company in 1835.
The Observatory Hill, also known as Mahakal dara, Darjeeling, was the original site
of the Bhutia Busty (Dotsuk Gompa) monastery.
Tea tourism hopes to regain ‘Queen of Hills’ status
for Darjeeling
Darjeeling, Aug 28:
Tea producers are venturing into tea tourism projects in the picturesque
Darjeeling hills, hoping the newly-created Gorkhaland Territorial
Administration (GTA) will restore peace in the region.
The three picturesque Darjeeling hill subdivisions of
Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong in northern West Bengal have been on the
boil for nearly three decades over the demand for a separate state of
Gorkhaland. Agitations, killings, police crackdowns and long shutdowns had
severely impacted the local economy and its mainstay, tea, and tourism, IANS
reported.
Elected members of the GTA were sworn in earlier this month
after the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) swept the polls, raising hopes that the
law and order situation would improve in the hills.
Banking on this, firms possessing tea estates in the
"Queen of Hills" have lined up projects for developing tea tourism.
"At least five to six proposals for setting up tea
tourism projects in Darjeeling hills have recently been submitted to the West
Bengal government by different companies," Darjeeling Tea Association
secretary Kaushik Basu said.
Darjeeling stalls near Chowrasta to be removed
Shops along Nehru Road, Darjeeling
Darjeeling, Aug 28: All the 182 temporary stalls along Nehru Road, which are located
between Keventer’s and Chowrasta, will soon be removed to make way for a car
park in the area.
Dismantling of the illegal
stalls began last Monday under the direction of the Darjeeling Municipality.
These shops which main sell tourist-related items such as shawls, woolen
gloves, mufflers, gift items etc. came up during the 1970s.
The municipality has assured
the shopkeepers alternative spots to put up their stalls.
Sikkim Hermonites felicitate Jigme for Press award
“Jigme is a trout and an
upstream swimmer”
 |
| Jigme N Kazi with Karma Bhutia- SC 1972 |
Gangtok, Aug 28: The Sikkim Hermonites Association (SHA) on Friday (Aug 24) felicitated writer-journalist Jigme N Kazi for being awarded this year’s Khangchendzonga Kalam Puraskar award by the Press Club of Sikkim recently. SHA President Karma P. Bhutia, Secretary Sports Department, said Kazi, who completes three decades in the profession this year, deserves being awarded for his contribution in the field of journalism in the State. Bhutia also complimented Kazi’s wife Tsering T. Namgyal, senior teacher in Tashi Namgyal Academy (TNA) who was also present during the function, for her support to her husband despite the family undergoing enormous pressure in the past so many years.
Former President of SHA and former Managing Director of STCS Tempo Bhutia said Kazi was like a trout, a rare kind of freshwater species, and an “upstream swimmer,” who had his own mind and functioned independently, a press release by SHA General Secretary Suresh Sarda said.
Most Hermonites were surprised that a man who has worked for so long and achieved so much and who is always against the establishment should be rewarded at this point of time. “That someone from the minority Bhutia community who has always functioned independently and wrote against those in power should be awarded now is a big surprise,” said a Hermonite.
While thanking his friends, Kazi said three persons – his maternal grandfather, the Chogyal of Sikkim, and his former school Principal, GA Murray – had the greatest influence in his life. That the felicitation function of the Sikkim Hermonites should take place on Murray’s birthday (Aug 24) is a great honour for him, Kazi said.
During the function it was decided that Sikkim Hermonites will participate in this year’s Speech Day function of Mt. Hermon School, Darjeeling, in November this year. Justice Altamas Kabir, who is likely to become the next Chief Justice of India (CJI) next month when the present Chief Justice SH Kapadia retires, is expected to be the Chief Guest on Speech Day. Kabir is an alumnus of Mt. Hermon and was a student there in the 1950s.
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| Tempo Bhutia - SC 1969 |
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| Punam Agarwal - SC 1969 |
.JPG) |
| Raj Kumar - SC 1969 |
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| Thentok Lachungpa - SC 1971 |
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| Surendrapal Singh Lamba - SC 1971 |
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| Udai P. Sharma - SC 1972 |
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| Uttam Kumar Pradhan - SC 1973 |
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| Suresh Sarda - 1990s batch |
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| Phinto Choppel - 1980s batch |
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| Prakash Mundra - 1990s batch |
‘Silent invasion’ still on in Assam: Sangma
Ranchi, Aug 28:
Former Lok Sabha Speaker P A Sangma has alleged that demographic change was
silently taking place in Assam and asked the people to be careful of the
"silent invasion" in most tribal-dominated regions.
"According to the May 24, 1971 formula, Bangladesh
nationals were to be identified and deported to that country. But 25 years have
since been passed and Rs 400 crore spent, only a thousand Bangladeshis were
identified and only one was deported from Assam," Sangma claimed while
addressing a gathering here.
He said north-eastern states did not allow too much
industrialisation because "outsiders" would come to seek jobs and
then settle down, "changing the demography", PTI reported.
"Tribals are self-content about what they earn that is
why Bangladeshis are working even for Rs 25 on daily wages, changing the
demographic structure. But the structure should be maintained by being careful
and aware of the silent invasion," he said.
ULFA warns of attacks on 'Indians' in Assam if
‘atrocities’ continue
Guwahati, Aug 28:
The ULFA has warned of attacks on "Indians" in Assam if
"atrocities" on Assamese people did not halt in other parts of the
country.
A statement signed by its elusive chief Paresh Baruah
alleged that 14 Assamese youth had been killed in "mainland India".
"The atrocities on Assamese ... must be stopped
immediately, failing which we will be forced to take necessary action on
Indians living here," said the statement.
The statement also warned India-based Muslim groups against
spreading communal hatred in Assam, IANS reported.
It charged All India United Democratic Front chief
Badaruddin Ajmal with spreading communal hatred by saying Muslims were being
killed in Assam.
The ULFA statement follows ethnic violence in Assam and the
consequent flight of thousands of Assamese from places like Bangalore and Pune
due to mysterious telephonic threats.
INTERVIEW Fu
Ying
“China
and India are partners, not rivals”
China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Fu Ying, who has recently visited Bhutan and
Nepal, talks with China Daily about her visits to these two South Asian countries.
 |
| China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Fu Ying China Daily: You have recently visited Bhutan and Nepal. The Chinese people have a great dealof interest in the two countries. Could you share with us your impressions? |
My first stop was in Paro, which has the only international airport in Bhutan. The runway lies between the high mountains, and you have to admire the skillful way the pilot navigated the plane around mountains peaks. The drive from Paro to Thimphu was an enchanting experience. We feasted our eyes on the natural scenery all around us as well as the colorfully painted traditional wooden farmhouses that looked like they were sleeping in the green valleys. The children walking in the streets were all in traditional-style uniforms and well-mannered. It is easy to see why Bhutan ranked very high on the National Happiness Index in the world.
Now to Nepal, it's my second visit, and I found the country a lot busier and livelier. There have been lots of political changes, and it's remarkable that the overall economic progress has continued. I remember when sitting under a huge bodi tree as we waited for a delayed flight, a young Nepalese monk explained about the search for inner peace. The calm cultural atmosphere there was deeply touching.
CD: Bhutan is the only neighbor with whom China has not established diplomatic relations. The boundary talks have been going on for years. Could you update us on the progress?
FY: Yes, China-Bhutan boundary negotiations started in 1984. Over the years while the talks were going on, the two sides have maintained an effective discussion on building up understanding, trust and exchanges. Thanks to the agreements reached, we have also maintained peace and tranquility in the border areas.
This is the 20th round of talks, and I found my meetings friendly, substantive and constructive. Both sides were accommodating and forward-looking. China appreciates Bhutan's positive attitude on its relations with China. We agreed to continue exchanging visits and gradually expanding cooperation in areas of common interest while advancing the boundary talks with patience.
My visit culminated in a call on the fourth king of Bhutan. I was deeply impressed by the former king's knowledge and sharp insight on the affairs of the outside world. The meeting was warm, and we could sense the king's wisdom and foresight. Small wonder he came up with the vision of building "Gross National Happiness", which is attracting wider international attention.
CD: Nepal as China's neighbor is at an important juncture of its political transition. What is your view on China-Nepal relations? How has your visit helped deepen the relations?
FY: China and Nepal have always enjoyed strong and healthy relations. To quote Prime Minister Bhattarai, ours is a "problem-free relationship". For China, Nepal is a good neighbor, good partner and good friend. I reaffirmed China's policy of noninterference in Nepal's internal affairs, respect for Nepal's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and its people's choice of development path. I also expressed our best hope that Nepal's peace and constitution drafting process arrive at a successful conclusion.
The purpose of my visit was to follow up on the important visit to Nepal by Premier Wen Jiabao last January. China is committed to effectively implement the important agreements reached during the visit, including assistance programs, infrastructure projects and people-to-people exchanges. We highly appreciate Nepal's firm commitment to the one-China policy and its position of not allowing any forces to use its territory for anti-China activities. I am glad that this policy is shared by all political parties.
The visit has also made me more confident about the future of China-Nepal trade and investment cooperation. We discussed many potential areas for cooperation. I noticed that Nepal's traditional handicraft and its places of historic interest will prove very attractive for Chinese buyers and tourists.
The world is rapidly changing. Developing countries like China and Nepal need to work hard to maintain stability in order to pursue economic progress. We must grasp the opportunities enabled by globalization that makes it possible for us to achieve faster economic growth and industrialization, which we missed out on the past.
CD: As was reported, you also met with the secretary-general of the South Asian Association For Regional Cooperation. What is the state of relations between China and SAARC?
FY: Yes, I called on the secretary-general of SAARC in his office in Kathmandu. We had good discussions about how to bring the relations closer. He emphasized that SAARC saw China as a very important partner and is interested in exploring further dialogue and cooperation. I expressed China's willingness to support SAARC and expanding cooperation with SAARC members in the areas of economy, agriculture, transportation, human resource training and disaster relief. I also invited him to visit China.
China shares a 4,700-km-long border with SAARC countries, and our joint population is close to 3 billion, almost half of the world's total. China is committed to good neighborly relations with SAARC members and attaches importance to its contacts with SAARC as an organization. China became a SAARC observer in 2006. In 2012, China appointed its ambassador in Nepal as its resident representative to SAARC. We are ready to work with SAARC to build stronger ties.
CD: Both Bhutan and Nepal have close ties with India. What is your reaction to press reports that China and India are engaged in a strategic rivalry in South Asia?
FY: From my point of view, China and India are partners, not rivals. As the two biggest emerging economies, China and India share common interests in major international and regional issues. In recent years, China-India relations have seen strong momentum of growth thanks to the consensus of both leaders.
China respects India and all other South Asian countries for developing close and friendly cooperation. We share a common belief in the principles of equality and mutual benefit in state-to-state relations. China would like to promote its relations with all South Asian countries including Bhutan and Nepal. This is not targeted at any third country, nor will it hurt the interests of other nations. Instead, it will only add to the common prosperity of the region. China is also ready to expand cooperation with India in promoting regional development. For example, the need for connectivity can be better met if China, India and South Asian countries work together and avail themselves of the good opportunity offered by the strong growth in the region.
President Hu Jintao remarked that the 21st century should be one of peace, development and cooperation. This is a worthy goal for us all to strive for.
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