Introduction

Peace and prosperity are the desired expectation of people and nations. Both peace and prosperity demand combined efforts and joint ventures of many sides with readiness to share the burden and benefits. Nepal and China have a long history of sharing culture, knowledge, spiritual faiths, trade, and travels. Both Nepalese and Chinese societies believe in the philosophy and practice of harmony, peace, and humanity. Sakyamuni Buddha (Fótuó) and Manjushree (Wénshū) connected Nepal and China, historically and mythologically. Nepal is the first country in South Asia to have state-level relation. It is important to note that in 652, Skandadev, a Lichhavi Crown Prince of Nepal, paid an official visit to Tang dynasty China. Before and after this time, several Chinese and Nepalese scholars and Buddhist monks traversed through each other’s country to obtain and share knowledge. Nepal learned from Chinese experts to manufacture paper in the 7th century, and many Chinese artists learned Nepalese paintings (thankas and stupa architecture). Dhyana Buddhism (Ch’an Buddhism) and Guan Yin (Buddha in deity form) travelled from Nepal to China and finally to Japan. These are only a few examples of deeply rooted traditional relations between two countries.

During the early 19th century, Nepal suffered from the British colonial invasion and lost its territory. Nepal’s independence then was guided, if not fully controlled, by British colonialism in India. In 1840, China was forced to sign a number of unequal treaties. Both nations had to suffer humiliation and extortion. China plunged into a debt burden, and Nepal’s population was used to defend colonial or imperialist ambition—the Gurkha Brigade was a colonial form that colonized the population of Nepal. Nepal’s rich forest was extorted to build a railway network in India. Over two hundred thousand Nepalese died in several wars, thus depriving Nepal of the youth population to work for their country. Nepal freed itself from the feudal British-colony-backed puppet government in 1951. China liberated itself from feudalism and foreign humiliation in 1949.

Even though Nepal and China share similar occurrence of freeing itself, China today has emerged as a rapidly developing country with the massive development of economy, infrastructure, education, agriculture, science, and technology. Nepal, however, has failed in achieving similar economic development, educational enhancement, and the progress in science and technology. Nepal’s geopolitical situation was worsened by attempts of exploitation of some powers both against Nepal and China. Attempts to make Nepal a ‘cockpit’ for implementing anti-China activities go on uninterrupted, posing a severe threat to the security of China’s autonomous region Tibet and Nepal’s social cohesion, national security, and political stability. It is as if, Nepal lost its precious 70 years after independence without achieving any progress. Nepal’s peace is tarnished, and Nepal’s independence is perennially threatened.

Economically poor Nepal and politically unstable Nepal cannot sustain to preserve its independence. This does not do any good for the security of both China and India. An economically strong Nepal can be a safeguard to its neighbors’ security and its national sovereignty and independence. Hence, it is imperative for Nepal to change its geopolitical

situation into a geo-economic condition. This is attainable if Nepal shifts its balance-driven traditional diplomacy to ‘trilateral economic’ cooperation with its neighbors. For this purpose, the BRI cooperation model is not only essential but urgent. Nepal must be able to draw investment from China for its infrastructure, agricultural, tourist business, and industrialization. Nepal’s diplomacy by enhancing the role of SAARC is vital. Moreover, Nepal must enhance its capacity to negotiate with India. However, Nepal should not give up its right to benefit from the investment through BRI.

Nepal and China signed the BRI Framework Agreement in 2017. Nepal and China also have signed the Transit and Traffic Treaty, which firmly recognizes Nepal’s right of transit under the Sea Convention 1982. China has supported Nepal in all difficult times generously. China’s support to Nepal during the devastating earthquake and Indian blockade cannot simply be forgotten. Unfortunately, the BRI framework agreement and transit treaty severely lagged in implementation due to the Nepal government’s lack of pro-active attitude; but now, Nepalese people cannot sit idle, being spectators to the unfolding situation of political fragility. This situation can only be addressed by generating greater awareness to jump into economic development initiatives. It is an urgent necessity for Nepalese intellectuals to educate Nepalese people of the significance of the “Nepal-China BRI Framework Agreement” for the economic development of Nepal.

The seminar ‘Sino-Nepal BRI Agreement: Shared Future for Trans Himalayan Region’ held on 24 September 2021 via Zoom, focused on finding the avenues that help the countries to cooperate and co-exist in the Trans Himalayan Region. The webinar focused on collective cooperation, mutual understandings, perceptions, and various interpretations regarding the BRI agreement. Moreover, the constraints, restraints, and challenges of BRI were briefly discussed in the seminar.

The program was conducted in the collective venture of Himalayan–BRI and Development Affairs Council, and Center for Trans-Himalaya Studies (CTHS), of Leshan Normal University, with support of Sino-Nepal Business Research Center (SNRC). It was divided into 4 sessions, wherein the first session was the inauguration session, the second session was about collectivizing cooperation and contribution, the third session dealt with BRI draft framework and embodied provisions, and the last session ended with an open floor discussion and closing remarks from Prof. Liu Junrong and Prof. Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula.

Session I (Inauguration)

The first session was opened and moderated by Mr. Ashish Adhikari. Former Prime Minister of Nepal Honorable J.N. Khanal was the chief guest of the seminar. Similarly, Her Excellency, Hou Yanqi, Ambassador of People Republic of China to Nepal, was invited as the Guest of Honour, and Prof. Hu Dan, Secretary of the Communist Party Committee of Leshan Normal University, was invited as the special Guest.

In the inaugural session, Prof. Dr.Yubaraj Sangroula and Prof. Liu Junrong gave their welcoming remarks. It was followed by the opening speech from Prof. Hu Dan, Her Excellency, Hou Yanqi, and Honorable, J.N. Khanal respectively.

Prof. Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula welcomed all of the professors, scholars, and participants in the seminar with his warm greetings and highlighting the historical relationship between Nepal and China. Similarly, Prof. Liu Junrong expressed his warm greetings to all present members and highlighted the needs and existing mutual cooperation among Nepal and China and also the Trans Himalayan region.

In the opening session, Prof. Hu Dan opined that the BRI Agreement is a Win-Win development between Nepal and China that enhances the Nepal-China economic corridor and consequently leads to the economic development, cultural development, and prosperity of both the countries through mutual benefits. Further, he invited the Former Prime Minister of Nepal JN Khanal and all the scholars to visit his university. This sort of visit without a doubt enhances the connectivity among people of two neighboring countries.

Similarly, Her Excellency, Hou Yanqi focused on China’s vision of global development initiatives through the project of BRI. She addressed China’s people-centered approach which focuses on bringing harmony, economic development, cultural development, common development, security, and developing a good international relation among various nations of the world.

She stressed President Xi jing Ping’s words in the 76th UN session where he expressed UN should ensure green development and support developing and less developed countries to gain economic prosperity to which he would provide full support to.

Furthermore, Her Excellence remarked 140 countries have signed BRI and it is the only way of bringing in global prosperity. She cherished the 66 years of diplomatic relations between China and Nepal where both the countries respected their friendship, sovereignty and dignity.

Through the BRI agreement, Nepal and China share a future of health, share a future of connectivity, share a future of green development and share a future of equality and harmony.

After the speech by Hou Yanqi, Former Prime Minister of Nepal Jhala Nath Khanal presented his views that the notion of development has connected countries to a larger extent and so Nepal and China. He focused that powerplay and hegemony among world politics endangered sovereignty and possessed threat of security to the Weaker states like Nepal. In a world where inclusive development is like a myth, The Belt and Road Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, on behalf of Socialist China, has shown a new hope to this direction through a programmatic and inclusive model of development for international economic and development cooperation, Khanal exclaimed. He also urged the political parties of Nepal, intellectuals, and the government of Nepal to pay more profound attention to expedite the agreed projects and explore more projects to enhance the economic development of Nepal. He, therefore, pointed BRI to be a landmark agreement signed by Nepal and expressed Nepalese people’s expectations and aspirations of the project.

The inaugural session was thus completed with the speech of the former Prime Minister and the program entered into the main theme where speakers discussed Collectivizing Cooperation and Contribution in the second session.

Session II (Collectivizing Cooperation and Contribution)

The second half of the program was moderated by Prof. Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula where the speakers opined their views regarding the prospects of BRI in collectivizing cooperation and contribution. The speakers in this session were Dr. Atindra Dahal, Prof. Dr. Dai Yonghong, Dr. Khagendra Prasai, Ms. Swechhya Sangroula, Prof. Wang Yiwei, and Prof. Zhang Shubin respectively. The idea put forward by the speakers are summarized in brief:

Dr. Atindra Dahal (Sino-Nepal BRI Framework Agreement Connects Not Only Two Economies but Also Two Civilizations)

Dr. Dahal reflected the relationship between Nepal and China from a dimension that is different from economic and political. He argued that the relation between these two  neighboring countries that share friendlier relations strengthened by the official visits and  formal relation agreement also shares the relationship of two civilizations. Nepal and China to  many extents have a similar civilization that can further be delineated by Buddhism, religious ties, cultural and historical ties, shared good wishes for each other’s strengths, arbitration-based  jurisprudence, human characteristics or behavior, herbal-based medication, etc. He further  reminded the participants about China being the first country to accept Nepal’s proposal of the zone of peace, the country with the largest investment commitment and largest FDI. All in all,  the speaker presented his idea that the Sino-Nepal BRI Framework Agreement Connects not  only two economies but also two civilizations.

Prof. Dr. Dai Yonghong (The Significance Opportunities and Paths of Trans-Himalaya Regional Cooperation)

Prof. Dr. Dai Yonghong stated that Nepal is a diamond and has the potential to be the center for the Trans Himalayas Region if properly governed and if it could grip all the benefits that the BRI framework offers. He presented that Nepal can benefit from the geopolitics that BRI opens to, and also Nepal can be connected to various other civilizations, increased connectivity through silk roads, and economic integration. Nepal largely can benefit from the BRI framework as the Trans Himalayas zones connect four corridors; BCIM, CPEC, CMEC, CN, and CNI. He stated that the BRI helps in fostering the economy, culture, tourism, development, and also better utilization of natural resources. He states that Nepal should take the Framework as a national action plan and benefit largely from it.

Dr. Khagendra Prasai (Politico-Economic Dimension of Sino-Nepal BRI Framework Agreement)

He remarked that the BRI framework transcends civilization, nationalism, ideology and political system, and negates the superiority of any country. BRI, in opposition to the clash of civilization, rather encourages cooperation among the citizens. Further, he circulated the idea of Adam Smith in Beijing, implying the world market created by China and the global impact of China. Further, he stated that as BRI is not about hegemony, Nepal is going to be immensely benefited from the project.

Ms. Swechhya Sangroula (Sino-Nepal BRI Framework Agreement: Expectation Among Young Nepali Intellectuals)

The speaker warmed the floor by her synonymous example of China and Nepal being a  couple that over-evaluate each other’s potential and immensely support each other. Further, she stated that it is the obligation to help each other prosper being a good neighbor and Nepal’s  youth expect immense support from China for its prosperity and development.

Prof. Wang Yiwei (BRI Framework Agreement Between China and Nepal and Its Potentials to Boost Economic Benefits to Nepal)

To recapitulate Prof. Wang’s idea, China’s policy of peace, harmony, and inclusive development is different from the western policy of hegemony and dominance. The western world heavily relies on military power and is heavily advantaged of the same. However, China is influenced by the production and market flow which supports Nepal’s vision of economic development. He reckoned Nepal’s economic development can be achieved easily by indulging in the BRI framework Agreement which favors inclusive development.

Prof. Zhang Shubin (How Can Nepal and China Cooperate to Enhance the Implementation of the BRI Framework Agreement Between China and Nepal?)

Prof. Zhang wisely distinguished BRI from MCC though they are found in a similar time. Further, he stated that BRI offers consultation, contribution, shared benefits, and win-win cooperation. Since BRI is of immense benefit to Nepal, he urged the political parties to have an ethos to implement the project. He also stated China-Nepal-India cultural corridor is a way to enhance Nepal’s prosperity and stability and unlike MCC, BRI does not harm Nepal’s sovereignty.

The second session ended with the remarks of prof. Dr. Yubraj Sangroula and thus the third session embarked on the BRI draft framework and embodied provision.

Session III

The third part of the program was moderated by Prof. Liu Junrong. The key speakers of this session were Prof. Dr. Yubraj Sangroula, Dr. Huang Zheng Duo, Dr. Lila Nyaichyai, Bimal Gautam, and Prof. Jiang Yanbin respectively. The idea put forward by the speakers are summarized in brief:

Prof. Dr. Yubraj Sangroula (BRI Draft Agreement: Provisions and Interpretations)

Highlighting the historical bond, cultural relations between Nepal and China along with the prospects of the BRI Framework Agreement, Professor Sangroula emphasized BRI being the first formal Nepal- China economic corridor that not only helps in fostering economic development, but also the development of technology, ecology, and environment. He admired  the green development strategy of China and also highlighted the provisions of the BRI  framework that provisions equitable share of benefits, capital, technology, and integration of goods. The agreement has the collaboration of various ministries of Nepal and China like the  commerce ministry, ministry of environment and forestry, etc. He reiterated the importance of China recognizing the international right of Nepal as a landlocked country and the courtesy for  transit transport to Nepal.

Dr. Huang Zheng Duo (Role of Sino-Nepalese Scholars in Promoting the Implementation of BRI Framework Agreement with Focus on Sichuan and Kathmandu)

Prof. Liu Junrong greeted the panel on Prof Duo’s absence due to technical issues. He started with the level of impact the high-level visits have made in the two countries’ relation. There have been ongoing cooperation between the countries. One of the recent cooperation between these two neighbors has been in terms of disaster prevention and during the wake of COVID-19. Other than helping each other through medical supplies on several occasions, there has been cooperation on an economic level with signing of different agreements. He stated that in terms of the BRI Framework, Marsyangdi Hydropower is considered one of the benchmarks. While there are various way to implement the framework agreement, he stressed on the importance of diplomatic ties, people to people communication and understanding between the people and scholars of Nepal and China. In 2017, there were more than 300 actives scholars enrolled in Sichuan itself and he also pointed out that beyond these scholars; many students and scholars were trained in Sichuan. He reiterated the necessity of cooperative relations which could be done and motivated through scholars. The stressed that the knowledge between them should be popularized in individual countries where the local people also get access to the knowledge shared by them.

Dr. Lila Nyaichyai (International Relation Dimension of BRI Framework Agreement)

Dr. Lila Nyaichyai argued that the BRI framework helps Nepal in strengthening international relations as the country signing the BRI is more than 126 as per 2019. She highlighted that connectivity that BRI brings in terms of trade, transport and resources helps Nepal open to Multilateral cooperation from its concentrated bilateral relations with its immediate neighbors.

BRI opens Nepal from a land-locked country to a land-linked country. Further, she opined that the economic cooperation corridor opens Asian countries to the European circle. Nepalese laborers can be employed in the global BRI project which also helps Nepal in alleviating unemployment and poverty problems. BRI provides Nepal with an investment market and technology which ultimately opens Nepal to the global world.

Bimal Gautam (How Journalists View Nepal China BRI Framework Agreement?)

The speaker emphasized the impacts media can make on the BRI Framework Agreement as media is the source that provides information to the public. Further, he encouraged journalists in Nepal to conduct seminars and share ideas among them which helps in bringing the correct information. Furthermore, he added the advertising market on which Nepali media is largely dependent grows by leaps and bounds which helps in the flow of the correct information as media become economically strengthened with the BRI framework. According to him, views of BRI among the journalists are contradicting depending on the pro-China and pro-west ideologies they follow.

Prof. Jiang Yanbin (Copyright law of China and BRI)

Pro. Yanbin greeted the panel and strated out his pretentation laying down the Chinese legal system regarding copyright law. He stated that since China became the member of Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial property in 1980, an international industrial property protection system has been established, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, marks of origin and new plant varieties, Then, since 1893, China has promulgated and implemented the Trademark Law, Patent Law, Copyright Law, Anti-Unfair Competition Law and Regulations on New Plant varieties, which are revised almost every 10 years. With the Chinese Civil Code that came into force, China has established a legal guarantee system for science and technology, market, culture and international exchanges, which plays an important supporting role in the Belt and Road strategy. He stressed that it is noticeable that the copy right law system hold an important position to promote cultural and artistic communication and cooperation between the countries along the Belt and Road.

Session IV

For the last session, the floor was opened to the participants for their queries regarding the arguments and ideas posed by the speakers.

Participant, Ms. Himani Malla enquired if the cultural connectivity which the speaker mentioned with the example of the bamboo basket is not shared connectivity but parallel development in two different regions. To the question, professor Sangroula responded that the use and way of preparation were similar of those baskets which make shared culture among Nepal and China plausible. However, he encouraged his fellow professors to fund and  conduct research dealing with cultural connectivity between Nepal and China.

Speaker Bimal Gautam, enquired how China can assure BRI as beneficial to Nepal and prevent the negative hoax of BRI. The speakers cleared the visions of inclusive development and cooperation of BRI and the historical, cultural, religious, civilizational relations of Nepal and China.

The program successfully ended with the closing remarks from Prof. Liu Junrong and Prof. Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula.

Conclusion

The grand program was successfully concluded with different remarks shared by the speakers. Intellectual programs as such should often be organized as such programs open platforms of learning and connecting among people of different countries. It further helps in strengthening the Nepal-China relations and aspires youths to gain more support, cooperation, and involve themselves in connecting and collectivizing ideas of common development.