‘Media can help Nepal, India, China bring together’

Kathmandu : Intellectuals and media experts have said media could raise Nepal-China relations in a positive manner. The paper presenters and commentators at a programme organized by Nepal-China Media Forum in the federal capital suggested the journalists to study two-country relations thoroughly and help boost relations.

In a discussion session, Executive Director and Chief of Kathmandu School of Law, Dr Yubaraj Sangraula, presented a working paper relating to Nepal-China relations and argued that it was useless to blame China of posing debt trap with the Belt and Road Initiatives. The BRI was brought with clear vision of sovereignty, territorial integrity, security, stability and prosperity. So, accusing China of expanding imperialism has no ground.

He further said Chinese investment, arrival of Chinese tourists and railway are not for imperialism. So, media must bring Nepal, India and China together but not distance them, Dr Sangraula suggested.

On the occasion, noted journalist Yubaraj Ghimire observed that it was useless on the part of political parties to accuse others of invading territorial integrity as they have handed their political sovereignty to others. “Political parties must show sovereign charter first,” he stressed.

Commenting on the working paper presented by Dr Sangraula, Coordinator of the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy at TU, Prof Dr Khadga KC, said Nepal should bolster its relations with China through trade, investment, tourism and connectivity. Chinese investment should be brought by keeping in centre Nepal’s national interest, he added.

Similarly, commenting the working paper of journalist Ghimire, another journalist Tirtha Koirala also stressed the expansion of Nepal-China relations as per time. Former ambassador Hiranya Lal Shrestha said journalists should disseminate factual news on two-country relations.

Earlier, during the inaugural of the programme, Nepal Communist Party Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ had spoken of the need to develop trilateral partnership among Nepal, India and China for Nepal’s economic development.

Similarly, Nepali Congress central member Dr Ramsharan Mahat viewed attraction of more foreign investment and reduction of trade deficit were urgent need for Nepal’s economic development.

—