Kathmandu. China has told that it would help safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nepal. The message comes from China after the visit of the Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe.

In its press release after the visit, the Defense Ministry of China has mentioned about helping Nepal safeguard its territorial integrity, but it hasn’t indicated the potential threat and the ways China would help Nepal secure its territory and sovereignty.

Quoting Defense Minister Wei, China has made a surprising statement in the press release that China highly appreciated Nepal’s stance on the one-China policy and that China “firmly supports Nepal to safeguard the national independence, sovereignty and national integrity.” Wei had stated so with reference to his talks with President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

Wei Fenghe also underscored that the China-Nepal relationship had been strengthened by the high-level political visits between the two countries and it has now been upgraded to a “strategic partnership of cooperation”. Such a claim had been made in a joint press release last year after Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit too.

What did President Bhandari say?

The press release of the Chinese Defense Ministry mentions that President Bidya Devi Bhandari has told that China has helped in the stability of Nepal. It has not been mentioned, however, how China has helped in Nepal’s stability.

The Chinese press statement reads: “Bhandarii said that Nepal congratulated China on achieving victory on the fight against COVID-19 under the leadership of President Xi Jinping  and is deeply grateful to China for its firm support for Nepal’s economic development and social stability.”

The fact that India has encroached Nepal’s territory and that had led to a communication gap between the two nations for a long time and the Indian political establishment meddling often with Nepal’s internal politics could have made the Chinese Defense Minister remark about helping Nepal “to safeguard the national independence, sovereignty and national integrity.”

The case of China and Nepal’s territorial integrity

Its not necessary for other nations to help Nepal safeguard its independence. It would be a great relief for Nepal if the neighboring nations do not tamper with its boundary. Although China has said that it would help Nepal with its national integrity and sovereignty, it has already gone against Nepal’s sovereignty by making a bilateral deal with India in 2015 about a trijunction point, disregarding Nepal completely.

China has neither accepted its mistake nor apologized for it. What meaning can the Chinese assurance have for Nepal in such a situation?  Does China plan to help Nepal in protecting its territorial integrity by sending military help against India?

History has it that Nepal was the only nation during the British domination in Asia in the 19th to mid 20th century. Famous American diplomat Henry Kissinger, in his book ‘On China’, has written that during the British Raj in India, China wanted Nepal and India to fight against each other so that being thus engaged, both would not attack or disturb China.  Kissinger claims China had adopted its foreign policy accordingly.

COAS Thapa’s message of neutrality

Chinese Defense Minister Wei had a formal meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Purna Chandra Thapa  at the Nepali Army Headquarters at Bhadrakali. It has been learnt that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, also holding the portfolio of the Defense Minstry, had authorized COAS Thapa to talk on his behalf with the visiting minister.

During the meeting, General Thapa made it clear to the Chinese minister as he had made it to  General Naravane of India that Nepal believes in maintaining neutrality with its neighbors and does not go against one or the other. Nepal is committed to keeping cordial relationship with all, he added.

A strong Nepal would be able to help fortify the security of its neighbors, so it is necessary for Nepal to be strong. We discourage all activities targeted at bringing instability in our country, COAS Thapa said.

As during Indian COAS Naravane’s visit to Nepal, Nepali Army did not seek any military assistance from China this time. Chinese Defense Minister Wei was also briefed about Nepal’s security status by the Nepali Army.