China: Has Emerged as World Power

| by Dirgha Raj Prasai

( May 20, 2013, Kathmandu, Sri Lanka Guardian) China has a long history. Before 221, Zhou dynasty is the longest dynasty in China history. During the period, great spiritual Saint Lord Confucius had impressed in old China. And then, the unification of China occurred in 221 B.C. by the Emperor Qin Shi Huang-Ti who destroyed the Zhou dynasty and proclaimed himself as China's first emperor. He captured the state power and destroyed and burned all the China's historical sources, materials, inscriptions and temples. The King Qin Shi Huang-Ti had expanded Chinese territory to Mongolia in the north and annexed many places. He constructed the Great wall (approximately 6,000 kilometers long) for the security purpose. He is immortal in his acts not only in China but also all around the world. Emperor Qin Shi Huang destroyed all the historical evidences, but the philosophy of Saint Confucius 25 hundred years old still exists today in China. Confusions philosophy is the light of China. Time creates people and people create history. A man is 'nature' while the history is 'manual'. Time creates individuals that can give creative thought and such individuals become immortal in the world.

About two hundred years ago Napoleon Bonaparte evaluated China saying 'Let China sleep, for when she wakes, she will shake the world.' In deed China has converted the quotation in practice. China has emerged as world power particularly the economically power. Being neighbor, Nepal and China share the common boarder of over 1000 km. We have long and cordial historic relation between our two countries. Nepal can greatly be benefited from Chinese prosperity and incredible economic growth.

China in fact is large country with large economic production and domestic expenditure. In order to maintain the ratio of development through the country, political regions are allocated as per need of the country. In modern China, there are 34 geo-political divisions, classified as 23 provinces, 4 municipalities, 5 autonomous regions, and 2 special administrative regions. Since its foundation in 1949, the People's Republic of China has considered Taiwan to be its 23rd province. However, the Chinese government has never controlled Taiwan. Four major metropolitans namely Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai and Chongqing Municipalities are directly under the Chinese government, with status equal to that of the provinces. In practice, their political status is higher than common provinces and centers of economic activities. Besides two autonomous and self-governing Special Administrative Regions- Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions are sub national subject and are directly under the Central People's Government. Except in foreign policy and military defense, special administrative regions are fully independent. There are five autonomous regions namely Inner Mongolia, Guangxi Zhuang, Tibet, Ningxia Hui and Xinjiang Uyghur. The autonomous regions enjoy their legislative rights and leadership is appointed from respective minority ethnic group.

China experienced critical stages for many centuries. The great leader of China, Mao Ze Dong made his country recognized by the rest of the world fighting against imperial powers. Modifying (improving) the same policy, another leader Deng Xiaoping brought changes in Chinese communism. Even after the death of Deng Xiaoping, his Chinese policy was continued and China emerged as a global economic power. China, not only in the field of trade and business, but also became able to develop science and technology. Moreover China is heading towards integrated and multilateral development. Adopting the path of open policy, China has stood against imperialism in the globe. Beijing Review of Dec-2012 rightly describes - “The drastic increase of the existing poverty gauge shows that the Chinese government is pragmatic about the difficulties and challenges in faces in poverty reduction. China's poverty reduction drives in unique in history. No other nations in history have ever been able to bring so many people out of poverty in such a short time. China's success is lifting millions of people out of poverty is unprecedented. Currently, poverty reduction not only means providing adequate food and clothing for those in need, it also means letting them live with dignity”.

Though the Communist party of China (CPC) with more than 66 million members is the country’s sole political party in power, but there are also eight other political parties too. China is run through communism principle and is a communist nation.

This is true. But, in practice China is more inclined to capitalist ventures through economic reforms. China’s energy is now mostly concentrated on increasing its products to sell to
the global market, and make Chinese citizens independent. Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping said- ‘Poverty is not socialism, to be rich is glorious.' The leader Deng put forward the concept of building socialism with Chinese characteristics 31 years ago. Recently Communist Party of China, has appointed Xi Jinping as General Secretary and China's President since March 2013. President Xi Jinping succeeded President Hu Jintao. The new President has taken the high priorities on corruption, inequality and the environment. President Xi said- people cannot deny what was done before the reform and opening up based on what happened after it and vice versa. We should seek the truth from the facts and tell apart what is important and what is not.' The president Xi Jinping, has said that he will fight for the great renaissance of the Chinese nation.

China has overtaken Japan as a world's second largest economy. It is accepted that Chinese economy will overtake the US economy almost by 2030. Because, to deliver cheap labor and cheap land of factories that would product with big brands a small prices. The characters between the sociologists and capitalists indicate the case of differences. Several economic forecasts suggest that China's GDP will overtake that of the U.S. in the coming decades. This fact, along with the recent economic downturn in the U.S., may be influencing U.S. perceptions of Chinese strength.

Due to the Nepalese princess Brikuti who married with the King of China- the famous Shronchan Gompo, speeded the Buddhism and the craftsman Araniko who built numerous famous Buddhist statues in China and Tibet. Fr om the time of Shronchan Gompo, Buddhism became gradually popular in China. In ancient time, Manjushree, came to Nepal from greater ancient China and made the Katmandu Valley habitable by draining out of the water as a lake in Kathmandu Valley, and started a new civilization. Prof. Dr.Triratna Manandhar writes-'in fifth century A.D. Faxan, a Buddhist monk and scholar from China visited Kapilvastu and Lumbini. His visit was followed by the visit of Nepali Buddhist scholar Buddhabhadra, to China, Faxian and Buddhabhadra collaborated to translating some of the Buddhist Sanskrit texts into Chinese which staying at monastery in China.

In the seventh century A.D. Xuan-Zang visited Lumbini, Kapilvastu and Kathmandu Vally, and left a short description of Nepal, which gives a short glimpse of Mahayana and Therabad Budhism in Nepal during ancient period. Sino-Nepali relations revived in the 13th Century when Kublai Khan invited a team of artists from Nepal to erect a golden Stupa. A Nepali team led by Arniko visited China and constructed golden pagoda-styled monasteries in Tibet and China to the satisfaction of the Chinese Emperor. Arniko was given a high post in China, and after his death, his sons continued to work in China. Nepal Kings and Prime minister were decorated by Chinese titles. Rana Bahadur Shah got the Chinese title of 'Ertini Wang' and Bahadur Shah- 'Dhung'. Jang Bahadur received a new Chinese title- Thong Ling Pimma Ko Kang Shang.' Then, we are maintaining the cordial relation between Nepal and China.

We Nepalese people have been offending by knowing the conspiracies policy of America. Nepal is landlocked country between two big neighbors– India and China. China always maintained friendly relation with Nepal and extended cooperation on various fields. The President Xi Jinping has already expressed his intention to develop strategic relation with Nepal with the objective of amassing development potentials and contributing to uplifting the life of the people in the region. But Nepal had been influenced by Chinese good conduct- while that of Britain was the Rule of Might. Such behavior has reflected in reality of Nepal, India and China. In fact 'Nepal is a Yam between two rocks.' The quotation of the founder of modern Nepal PN Shah is still relevant. Hence, Nepal is politically neutral. America and UN should understand the compulsion of Nepal. We Nepalese people are neither pro-China and anti-India nor pro-India and anti-China. Due to our nearest neighborhood, we have the sense of cordiality to maintain the balanced relation. Nepal shouldn’t be battle field. From the very beginning of history Nepal and China have been regarding their sovereignty each other. Nepal always respects the Chinese integrity and security. No doubt, Nepal supports- 'One China policy'. Nepal shares Chinese border with Tibet which of course is an integral part of China. Therefore Nepal is strategic partner with China in case of Tibet as well. We do not support Tibet be free.

Long live Sino-Nepal friendship!!!

Email:dirgharajprasai@gmail.com