Jiang Zemin and Nepal
Remembering Nepal - China ties under Jiang Zemin.
Jiang Zemin (1926-2022) was the President of People’s Republic of China from 1993-2003. He visited Nepal in December 1996 – the next visit would be 23 years later on October 2019 by President Xi Jinping. Jiang Zemin died on 30 November, 2022 due to leukemia and multiple organ failures as per China Daily. This article is to commemorate his visits and engagement with Nepal through translation of his visits as reported in Chinese media.
27 February, 2001: Chinese President Jiang Zemin meets King Birendra of Nepal in Boao Forum
Chinese President Jiang Zemin met special guest, King Birendra of Nepal in Boao Forum, Hainan in the morning. King Birendra thanked President Jiang for inviting him to visit China again and for giving him the opportunity to attend the "Boao Forum for Asia" in Hainan. Jiang Zemin warmly welcomed King Birendra and His Majesty the Queen for their visit to China. He said that His Majesty is the first foreign head of state welcomed by China since the beginning of the new century, which fully reflects the close good-neighborly and friendly relations between China and Nepal. Jiang Zemin said that your [King Birendra] presence will add color to the forum. Based in Asia, the Asia Forum will provide a suitable place for people from all walks of life who care about the development of Asia to obtain information, conduct exchanges and strengthen cooperation, and promote mutual understanding and mutually beneficial cooperation among Asian countries and between Asia and the rest of the world.
The link to the article can be accessed here.
********************************************************
4th June, 2001: Chinese President Jiang Zemin delivers speech expressing condolences for the passing of King Birendra and Queen Aishwariya of Nepal
Chinese President Jiang Zemin delivered a speech, expressing deep condolences for the passing of King Birendra and Queen Aishwariya of Nepal. President Jiang Zemin was deeply shocked by the tragic incident that happened in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, in the middle of the night on June 1, and deeply regretted the unfortunate passing away of His Majesty King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya of Nepal. He expressed deep condolences to the people of Nepal.
President Jiang Zemin said that King Birendra is deeply respected and loved by the Nepalese people, and he devoted his whole life to safeguarding Nepal's national independence and sovereignty, promoting social development and people's happiness. The death of His Majesty the King is a great loss to the people of Nepal. He will live forever in the hearts of the Nepali people. President Jiang Zemin said that His Majesty King Birendra visited China ten times during his lifetime. In February this year, he also attended the "Boao Forum for Asia" held in Hainan and paid a state visit to China. I met him twice in Hainan and Beijing, China, and had very cordial and friendly conversations, which are still fresh in my memory. King Birendra has made outstanding contributions to the friendly and good-neighborly relationship between China and Nepal from generation to generation. The Chinese people will always miss him.
The link to the article can be accessed here.
********************************************************
July 7, 2002: President Jiang Zemin congratulates King Gynendra on National Day.
President Jiang Zemin sent a telegram to King Gyanendra of Nepal to congratulate Nepal on its National Day.
President Jiang Zemin said in his congratulatory message that Nepal is a close and friendly neighbor of China, and the friendship between the two peoples has a long history. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations nearly half a century ago, the two countries have always treated each other as equals, trusted and supported each other. It is believed that with the joint efforts of both sides, the good-neighborly partnership between China and Nepal will be further consolidated and developed. In his congratulatory message, President Jiang said that King Gyanendra will pay a state visit to China, and he believes that this visit will open a new page for the development of bilateral relations in the new century.
On the same day, Premier Zhu Rongji also sent a congratulatory message to Nepalese Prime Minister Deuba.
The link to the article can be accessed here.
********************************************************
July 11, 2002: President Jiang Zemin meets Nepali King Gyanendra
On the afternoon of July 10, 2002, President Jiang Zemin met in the Great Hall of the People with Nepalese King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Deva, who is on a state visit to China. Jiang Zemin put forward suggestions on the further development of China-Nepal good-neighborly and friendly relations, and pointed out: Nepal is an important neighbor of China, and there are many differences between the two countries, but we always treat each other as equals and support each other; China is a reliable friend of Nepal.
King Gyanendra first thanked the Chinese side for their warm and friendly reception. He said: Nepal has friendly feelings towards China, and both the former King Birendra and I cherish the friendship between Nepal and China very much. Gyanendra said that Nepal and China are close neighbors, and the friendly relations between the two countries have withstood the test of time and wind and rain. We both share many common interests and share many common views on international and regional affairs. The Nepali side is willing to see China become more prosperous and achieve greater achievements in various fields, and also wants to see China play a more important role on the international stage. Gyanendra thanked China for its support and assistance to Nepal over the years, and expressed that Nepal is willing to strengthen cooperation with China, especially the Tibet Autonomous Region and articipate more actively in the development process of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
Jiang Zemin also spoke highly of King Gyanendra's positive role in Nepal's political stability, economic development and improvement of people's lives. He said that the Chinese government supports King Gyanendra and the Nepali government's efforts to combat anti-government armed forces, and opposes and condemns all acts of violence and terrorism. . It is believed that the king and the Nepali government are capable of maintaining the peace, stability and development of the country.
After the meeting, the two heads of state attended the signing ceremony of the relevant cooperation agreement between the two countries. The heads of relevant departments of the two countries signed the "Agreement on Economic and Technological Cooperation between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of His Majesty the King of Nepal" and the "Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of His Majesty the King of Nepal on Trade and Other Related Issues between the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and Nepal" .
The link to the article can be accessed here.
11th July 2002: Jiang Zemin puts forward four suggestions on developing friendly relations between China and Nepal
Chinese President Jiang Zemin has put forward four suggestions here today on further developing the good-neighborly, friendly and cooperative relations between China and Nepal, including actively promoting exchanges and cooperation between the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and Nepal. The Nepali side has responded positively to this.
Jiang Zemin said, first, actively carry out exchanges and exchanges in various fields and at multiple levels. In addition to maintaining the tradition of high-level mutual visits between the two countries, the parliaments, political parties, business circles, press and non-governmental organizations of the two countries should also have more exchanges to enhance mutual understanding and trust. He said that the China-Nepal Friendship Association was formally established recently, providing a new channel for strengthening non-governmental exchanges.
Second, vigorously expand China-Nepal economic and trade cooperation. Jiang Zemin pointed out that the Chinese and Nepali economies have their own characteristics and complement each other, and strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation conforms to the common interests of the two countries. He hopes that this kind of cooperation will become more extensive and deeper.
Third, actively promote exchanges and cooperation between the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and Nepal. He said that the Tibet Autonomous Region borders Nepal and is uniquely endowed with the development of mutually beneficial cooperation. Today, the two countries will sign the "Agreement on Trade and Other Related Issues between China's Tibet Autonomous Region and Nepal", which will strongly promote exchanges and cooperation between the two sides.
Fourth, continue to strengthen communication, coordination and cooperation in regional and international affairs. Jiang Zemin expressed that China sincerely appreciates the Nepali government's valuable support to China over the years on Tibet, Taiwan, human rights and other issues, and hopes that the two countries will continue to strengthen their good cooperation in international affairs. Gyanendra thanked China for its support and assistance to Nepal over the years, and said that Nepal is willing to strengthen cooperation with China, especially China's Tibet Autonomous Region.
He said that Nepal is adjacent to the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, and there is great potential for developing exchanges and cooperation. Gyanendra said that Nepal is willing to participate more actively in the development process of China's Tibet Autonomous Region, and reiterated that as a close friend of China, Nepal will adhere to its friendship with China and the One-China policy on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
He pointed out that Nepal will never allow any factors that hinder the development of bilateral relations, nor will it allow Nepali territory to be used for activities that harm China's interests.
The link to the article can be accessed here.
********************************************************
Note from The Araniko Project
愿逝者安息，一路走好，驾鹤西去留美名，永远活在人们的心间。
May the deceased rest in peace, and have a good journey to the afterlife
Having left a good name, you will forever live in the hearts of people.