UNDERSTAND CHINA AND THE WORLD BETTER

ISSUE 24 | APRIL 1-15 2015 | 8 PAGES | RS. 5.00 In association with

Chinese climbers in Mt. Annapurna (8,091M), the first expedition of Spring 2015 in Nepal. (Photo/Zhang Liang) SEE MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 6

Optimistic scenario should not overshadow the ground realities of Asia. Not all countries have managed to ensure dignity of life to its citizens. Poverty, hunger and deprivation still exist in many countries. Income and other forms of disparities that persist between and within countries just cannot be ignored. We need concerted efforts to resolve these problems and create a more stable, secure and prosperous future for Asia.

We look forward to working closely on the new regional initiatives such as Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Silk Road Economic Belt for the benefit of all in the region.(The excerpts are taken from his keynote

speech at Boao Forum for Asia 2015)

Close neighbors are better than distant relatives. This is a simple truth that the Chinese people got to know in ancient times. That explains China’s firm commitment to building friendship and partnership with its neighbors to foster an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood. All of us must oppose interference in other countries’ internal affairs and reject attempts to destabilize the region out of selfish motives.

Countries may differ in size, strength or level of development, but they are all equal members of the international community with equal rights to participate in regional and international affairs.

The “Belt and Road” initiative, meeting the development needs of China, countries along the routes and the region at large, will serve the common interests of relevant parties and answer the call of our time for regional and global cooperation.(From his speech at Boao Forum for

Asia 2015 at the Hainan province

of China)

“Belt and Road” initiatives mean “One Belt”, “Silk Road Economic Belt” and “One Road”, “The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road”. What they say –

Let me draw an analogy with reference to an ancient Chinese proverb. The proverb states: ‘When the winds of change blow, some people build walls, other build windmills.’ With the idea of Silk Route revival, the wind has already started blowing. It is up to us whether we want to ‘built walls’ and hide behind them or use the opportunity by creating ‘windmills’ according to the wind’s direction.

Finally, it is only the socio-economic transformation that can bring political stability in the country. There is an inter-link between economic well-being and sustainable peace. Let us hope the Silk Route initiative will give Nepal a much needed boost to leapfrog towards economic prosperity. We believe this will further enhance Nepal- China relations and enrich connectivity for the good of common people. For all this to happen in reality, we need to act in more coherent and consistent manner. The showtime is nearly upon us.

(Excerpts from his speech at the Talk Program on ‘Silk Route: Enhancing Nepal-

China Connectivity’ at Kathmandu on 23 March 2015)

Serve the common interest

Build windmills for China wave

Dance with deathDance with death

Ensure dignity of life

Xi Jinping, President of China

Ram Baran Yadav, President of NepalMahendra Bahadur Pandey, Foreign Minister

Where there is Chinese, there is APD

Targeting Chinese clients for your products and service.

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in Nepal

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BY DR BISHNU HARI NEPAL

2 OPINION APRIL 1-15 2015

BY MADHUKAR SJB RANA

To build an Asian Community land, air and sea connectivity are necessary but not sufficient. For real economic connectivity, it is also necessary to have connectivity between markers. For which there needs to be swift progress towards bilateral Free Trade Areas (FTAs) with China as China is the strategic connector, as it were, with its Silk Road, New Maritime Silk Route and Trans Himalayan Belt sub strategies. These are three very wise and innovative pillars to move the process towards a common destiny.

That said, the question naturally arises where connectivity under a FTA regime will not add to the burden of Balance of Trade (BOT) deficits with China for each South Asian (SA) nation in a more accelerated one way traffic than exists now? This is especially grave for the least developed nations (LDCs) who do not have much surplus for trade because of their limited production capacities. For these LDCs, it is the supply side of the market that is the problematic.

One way to compensate the LDCs in South Asia is for China to provide monetary grants so that they are incentivized to keep all their doors open to free trade; and, while doing so, to strive to develop trade complementarities with the BOT compensatory funds. But a better method for China is to develop

production complementarities to boost growth and employment.

To garner production complementarities calls for policy planning and institutional connectivity between governments and the private sectors to decide which potential products and services will be developed for exports to China for mutual benefit.

It could also call for China to, unilaterally, offer to create supply chains in the SA LDCs so that components and parts can be

manufactured in these nations with employment creation: even though the direct contribution to GDP may be insignificant owing to low value added share within such supply chains to begin with. Nevertheless, there are gains by way of jobs which is always welcome on its own merit.

Another means of connectivity, namely service sector connectivity for human capital enhancement is to integrate skill oriented educational courses with world class common standards by dispersing centers

of learning and modernization in various countries based on their competitive advantage.

Financial connectivity is another must. We have to connect the money and exchange markets with loans from multilateral banks like AIIB and Silk Route Fund (SRB) to be able to build the required infrastructure for connectivity.

Given the variety of connectivity involved, ideally it calls for China to go beyond FTAs and enter into Comprehensive Economic Relations

(CERs) with each of the SA LDCs. On Nepal's part what is

paramount is that the government and private sector invest in sophisticated disciplinary applied research to identify what is best for Nepal in its national interest. Our researchers must be fully familiar with the strategic plans of China including the provincial plans of the sub regions in its immediate neighborhood.

(The writer is a Professor and Former Finance Minister)

Historically Nepal was “first mentioned” in late Vedic text “Atharvaveda Parisista” as a place exporting blankets. Today, Nepal, as 41st most populous and 93rd largest country by landmass according to the Human Development Index 2014, is struggling to graduate from the Least Developed Country(LDC) status by 2022, two years later than relatively younger country Bangladesh.

Nepal will celebrate 60 years of five-year plans in 2017. When Nepal started “planned development”, Republic of Korea (ROK) had almost the same per capita income like that of Nepal. But today the ROK has left Nepal economically far behind.

History reveals that to develop a country in rapid pace, the birth of a “charismatic leadership” is a must. Contrary to close neighbors of China and India, Nepal failed to give the birth of a charismatic leadership in the present history.

In mid-50’s, though Nepal’s “Father of Democracy” late TP Acharya had started “planned development” on domestic and diplomatic fronts, he was allowed to rule Nepal 1.5 years only.

It is interesting that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) continues her successful five-year plan even today with the present one from 2011 to 2016. Nepal also follows periodic plans but why the pace of development is stagnant?

It should be a point to ponder over the decision makers as India did not send even a minister to China to attend the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) annual conference this year, but it has already drawn 20 billion U.S. dollar additional investment from China for two National Parks. China provided NRs. 14.5 billion additional Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Nepal during President Yadav’s visit to Boao 2015. In my article on BFA 2015, I had

proposed President Yadav to carry a US $100 billion plan for Nepal [see: APD, Issue 23, p.4]. But to my despair, nothing happened. Without specific project proposal from Nepal, China can only provide huge aid as a token of love on the occasion of 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between two countries. Nepal should not depend on ODA but on economic diplomacy indeed.

If observed closely, Nepal’s failure lies in leadership, planning, accountability, good governance and implementation. The bureaucracy should not wait for “political change” or for a “new constitution”. Like in India, at least, the bureaucracy should concentrate on development paradigms and national interest. If domestic conditions are set, China is an ocean of cooperation and opportunity for Nepal. But this realization remained superficial in Nepalese leadership.

There is a Chinese proverb, “A neighbor is more important than a relative living far away”, which was quoted by President Xi Jinping in Boao Forum this year. He also repeated “neighbors first” while explaining Chinese new diplomacy.

Pakistan is preparing to welcome huge investment through Silk Road at Pak-China-Economic Corridor during Xi’s possible visit in May 2015. Dropping a US $1.5 billion Colombo Plan for Coasts -CPC project, Sri Lanka’s President Sirisena has proposed a loan of US $5 billion. Through US $40 billion Silk Road Fund and BCIM, Bangladesh is preparing ambitious plans. Where is the preparation from Nepal? Nepal is immersed in happiness with NRs. 13 billion grant from its neighbor China. Why?

Nepalese planners need to broaden their vision. Even Latin America far away from China enjoyed US $118 billion Chinese loan during last decade. For 2015, Latin America plans to receive US $25-30 billion loan-upgrading from US $22 billion of 2014.

Xi promised that China is ready to sign “treaties of friendship” and “win-win cooperation” with neighbors. Xi also promised that in the next 5-years, China alone will invest US $500 billion abroad. Due to the strategic location, Nepal could reap the best of this opportunity if its planners wake up from their sound sleep.

Huge aid from China suffices a short-sighted man

What kind of connectivity best for Nepal

For China's connectivity to South Asia as a region, SAARC needs to have continuous collective dialogue with China in the manner of SAARC + 1 framework. This requires the SAARC Secretariat to come forth with its own 'Regional Connectivity Plan'.

- Professor Madhukar SJB Rana,

Former Finance Minister

Under the China's “One Belt, One Road” initiative, there are three possible links to South Asia: the revival of China-Myanmar-Bangladesh-India corridor; the extension of the Beijing Lhasa Expressway and Qinghai-Tibet Railway to Nepal (Lumbini and Kathmandu) and to Patna in India; the improvement of links between Xinjiang and Pakistan and Afghanistan through the improvement of the famous Karakoram Highway.

Two of the significant trading routes in South Asia connect to Nepal. They are the Kathmandu-Hetauda-Raxaul-Birgunj-Kolkata route and the Kathmandu-Kakarbhitta-Panitanki-Phulbari-Banglabadh-Dhaka route. A recent Asian Foundation-supported study has shown that enhanced trade facilitation along these routes can significantly reduce the transaction costs and bring enormous economic benefits to the countries involved. Linking these routes to the greater

connectivity of the Silk Routes can greatly enhance trade benefits to Nepal.

The SAARC Regional Multimodal Transport Study (SRMTS) completed in 2006 has identified 10 roads and 5 rail corridors that can be better strengthened for better connectivity. For that matter, SAARC should also seek to engage China on the Silk Road initiative as a dialogue partner or in a format like ASEAN+1.

- Madhu Raman Acharya, former foreign secretary

China's Road and Belt initiatives and South Asia

On the especial occasion of 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nepal, APD opens floor for your valuable writings based on the relation of Nepal and China. Your writing may contain the issues such as Chinese aid, diplomatic experiences and expectations,history, intimacy and other related issues. Please send your valuable writings at xinhuaktm@gmail.com

Articles on Sino-Nepal

relation wanted

READERS’ FORUM

BY BINOD KUMAR SAHA

BY JIVESH JHA

3INTERVIEWAPRIL 1-15 2015

What is the main dispute on constitution drafting between ruling and opposition parties?

The main differences are on the nomenclature and demarcation of the federal provinces. Opposition parties are demanding to separate entire southern mainland Terai from the hill while demarcating the federal provinces. What is the rationale behind this? Nepal is located in a very specific location. We are not only promulgating the new constitution, but also settling the issue of violence from the country launched by the ultra-

leftist force. We have to settle the violent forces and bring a new statute. Opposition parties should come on board to help in the process of constitution drafting.

We have 125 ethnic groups in Nepal. They are demanding to create some ethnic provinces based on their identity. So what other ethnic groups will do? Of course, other groups will also demand more provinces by their identities. If we set up federal provinces on the basis of single identity, that will create conflict among ethnic groups. We have witnessed the history and experiences of Nigeria and Rwanda after they adopted the

ethnicity-based federalism.

What is your stance on federalism?

We want very few provinces because we cannot afford much. We don't want to separate Madhes from the hilly regions. There should be north-south axis while adopting federalism in Nepal. We can't make a single province from Mechi to Mahakali in the southern plains. Why the southern plains should be separated from the hilly areas? If we don't link southern plains with the northern mountains while carving out federal provinces that will disconnect people and people's feelings. We don't accept identity-based or ethnicity-based federalism in the country which creates ethnic violence in the country. We think national unity, integrity, peace, democracy and harmony in the society. Federal provinces should be named on common geography. Real identities of this country are rivers, mountains and hills. Provinces can be named by the name of rivers, mountains and hills.

How should international communities play role in Nepal’s constitution drafting process?

Foreign diplomats must understand that Nepal is in a difficult situation. We have suggested the ambassadors to keep this in mind. We have made our position very clear to the international community. None of our foreign partners can guide us in our internal affairs. They can suggest us but can't direct us.

There should not be any type of confusion among diplomatic fraternity. International community should not favor some political parties or personnel voice in Nepal, but they should keep Nepal's political stability in mind.

We must link southern plains with northern mountains

APD interviewed CPN (UML) Chair KP Sharma Oli, who is leading the second largest party in CA. Excerpts:

APRIL 1-15 2015

APD intervieChair KP Sis leading thparty in CA. E

In the name of capitalizing Madhesh politics, the so called Madheshi leaders are breeding communal hatred which would eventually harm the new generation of Madhesh. The racist and communal thoughts have never helped any society. The Madheshi community should think twice before paying solidarity to any programs breeding communal sentiments.

Do we want to make Madhesh a staunch

supporter or a member ofany terrorist organization like Islamic state (ISIS)? Raising ones concern is always democratic, but at the same time capitalizing politics by using abusive terms for a small section of society for a no good reason is always undemocratic and disastrous. Lets think twice—where we are going ! Who is our enemy—the state, which discriminated us or the Hill community?

The prudent and reasonable persons’ reply would be: “It’s the state which discriminated us

for a long and we should knock the door of state to ensure our full-fledged rights.”

Not only Terains but also the Hill community people living in remote areas are suffering from identity crisis. The land where discriminatory thoughts are breed instead of paddy and other crops would certainly fail to breed intellectual class.

(The author is Kathmandu University graduate. Currently he is studying Law in Dehradun, India.)

The saga of Dhoti rally: a cultural show or communal show?

Why do you always shine only on one wall? Other forces with motives impure are also here as another wall to hold this roof of Nepal. They keep the right to shadow your rays and ways. Some centralized powers have made you captive inside the valley, when you will be free? Just turn and see down that the people in the streets are waiting in thirst and dust for your rays of inspiration, cooperation to working hands and share the cultures. They think your yellow skin and their black skin is no more problematic. They want to feel you as their intimate neighbor and to include you

in their brotherhood. Sprinkle some drops

of Chinese culture and language in the lands of King Janak which has always been injected with the Indian sentiments in all. People here should be tugged to realize that the salt and oil they use come from India, but the technology they use are much of Chinese soil. The electronics they pick up, eight out of ten is of Chinese sweat. You should leave out of the capital and go to the West and the South to make us feel that you are also one of our closest neighbors.

People in Tarai Plain are misguided, misleaded and misunderstood. Come just to hold their hands and they will walk the right path

with their own identities. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

India is with them in different ways but why China being a close neighbor is not with them?

As a neighbor they feel pride as you are one the world's biggest economy. They hear about you, they study your history but they have never felt you!

Terains (Madhesis) want to hug you, taste your, walk with you and trace a different track of success and identity. They hope that soon you will break the boundaries making a bridge to walk to them crossing the big oceanic gap of language and culture.

(The writer is from Biratnagar)

Madhesis want you, China!

Nepalese politicians are sharply polarized on the issue of the structure, the name and the number

of the federal provinces. Some people are still questioning that 'Is federalism the only way

for good governance?’

4 CULTURE APRIL 1-15 2015

Qingming festivalQingming festival means

clear and bright in Chinese, is the day for mourning the dead. It falls in April every year. It corresponds with the onset of warmer weather, the start of spring plowing, and family outings.

There is an ancient event, Hanshi, which always comes one day before the Qingming Festival. Hanshi, literally means cold food. It is said that in the seventh century BC during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC), Duke Xiao was the monarch of the state of Jin. His eldest son, Shen Sheng should have inherited the throne on the death of his father. But Duke Xiao had other plans. He wanted the son of his favorite concubine, Li Ji, to succeed him as the ruler of Jin. Not exactly a loving father, Duke Xiao had Shen Sheng murdered and would have done the same to his second eldest son, Chong'er, but Chong'er got wind of this and fled.

For 19 years, Chong'er and his entourage of loyal officials and servants wandered homeless. One day, Chong'er was actually starving and close to death. One of his most faithful followers, Jie Zitui, cut a slice of muscle from his own leg and served it to his master, thereby saving his life. Finally in 636 BC, Chong'er managed to take the throne that was rightfully his and took the official title of

Duke Wen of the Jin state.After becoming the ruler

of the state, Chong'er decided to reward the officials who had stayed with him through his years of wandering. But he forgot about Jie Zitui who had sacrificed the flesh of his leg. Jie Zitui was heartbroken and went away. Later Chong'er remembered Jie Zitui's sacrifice and sent people to look for him. Eventually they found him. Chong'er went to apologize and ask him to return to the royal court. But Jie Zitui left them and went deep into the mountains, so no one could find him again. Someone advised Chong'er to set fire to the mountain in order to force Jie Zitui into the open, where he could be talked into returning to the comforts of life in the royal house. Chong'er took this advice and set fire to the mountain where Jie Zitui was believed to be hiding. The fires raged for three days and Jie Zitui was found leaning

against a large tree, carrying his old mother on his back. Both Jie Zitui and his mother were dead.

Chong'er was deeply saddened by this tragedy. He ordered that a temple be built in memory of his most loyal follower. He also ordered that no fires were allowed on the anniversary of Jie Zitui's death. So people had to eat cold food on that day-the day of Hanshi. In addition, people began to visit Jie Zitui's tomb and pay their respects to his memory.

It was not until the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) about 300 years ago that the practice of Hanshi or eating cold food was replaced by the Qingming Festival (the Tomb-sweeping Day), which had now become an important occasion for people to offer sacrifices to their ancestors.

In ancient China, Qingming was by no means the only time when sacrifices were made to ancestors. In

fact such ceremonies were held very frequently, about once every two weeks, in addition to other important holidays and festivals. The formalities of these ceremonies were in general very elaborate and expensive in terms of time and money.

In an effort to reduce this expense, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) declared in 732 AD that respects would be formally paid at the tombs of ancestors only on the day of Qingming. This is the custom that continues to date. People will visit their ancestors' graves. They will tidy up, remove weeds and sweep away leaves. This is why Qingming is also known as the Tomb Sweeping Day. Beijing's subway is particularly crowded around the Qingming Festival as people flock to Babaoshan, Beijing's most famous cemetery and crematorium, to pay respects to their departed loved ones.

Qingming is not just a day of remembrance; it is also a day to celebrate the coming of spring, often by going out for a picnic.

The welcome transition from winter to spring represented by Qingming was an inspiration for many Tang Dynasty poems. Qingming has also been a favorite subject for painting.

It is not surprising that kite flying is very popular during the Qingming season.

Zhou Qunfei, chairwoman of Lens Technology, has been crowned as China's richest woman with a total shares holding value of 46.22 billion yuan (7.58 billion U.S. dollars).

Her company's share value surged to 78.08 yuan per share on March 31, jumping by the daily limit for 10 straight days since it debuted on the Growth Enterprise Market board in Shenzhen on March 18, with an offering price of 22.99 yuan per share.

On April 1 morning, Lens Technology, a major Apple Inc supplier, saw its share value surge by the daily limit for the 11th day at 85.89 yuan per share,

extending the glory of the country's richest woman.

Dubbed as the "Queen of Mobile Phone Glass", Zhou has ousted Chan Laiwa, founder of Beijing Red Sandalwood Cultural Foundation, who was previously named China's richest woman with total assets of 6.1 billion U.S. dollars, according to a global billionaire list by Forbes released in March.

Zhou's life is a classic rags to riches story. Born in 1970 in a small village in central China's Hunan Province, she started working as a factory girl making glass for watches in China's southern city of Shenzhen.

In 2003, she founded her own company. Headquartered in her hometown Hunan, the company has now grown to include 10 subsidiary companies with locations all over China, and employs 60,000 people.

After posting a net profit of 2 billion yuan in 2012, Lens technology saw net profit drop to 1.17 billion yuan in 2014. The company said that the decline was due to slump in the gross profits of mobile phone glass covers.

Apple's glass supplier becomes

China's richest woman

Beauty of Chinese languageBY SUKDEV CHAMLING

Kirat Rai Academy Council (KRAC) is all set to organize the first International Conference on "Kirati Languages and Culture" in Kathmandu, August this year.

Organizing a gathering at Kathmandu this week, Member Secretary of KRAC and linguist Tara Mani Rai informed that the conference's major motive is to promote youth scholars and researchers to play a significant role in the development of language.

KRAC also aims to preserve and spread the knowledge and

importance of Kirati language and culture among native people.

The conference will dwell upon issues like linguistics and culture, sociolinguistics, ethno linguistics, phonetics, art, healing practices among others. Nearly half dozen linguists from three countries Nepal, Austria and Switzerland will be attending the conference.

According to national population census of 2011, more than 10 lakh Kirati populations have inhabited in Nepal including Rai, Limbu, Sunuwar (Koitch), Yakkha along with Surel, Thami and Hayu. More than 40 languages are spoken within Kirati community.

First Int'l Conference on "Kirati Languages and Culture" to be held in Nepal

The sun sets, darkness falls, and the moon comes out. The ancient Chinese people observed the fact that the moon cycles from a new moon to a full moon and back again according to a certain cycle. If the circular appearance of the full moon was adopted to from the character it would be difficult to distinguish it from the character . As a result, the shape of the crescent moon was used to depict “moon”.

We have learned the ancient Chinese legend “Chang’e Flies to the Moon” in chapter II. According to this legend, Houyi’s wife Chang’e flew up to the moon. Today, advanced science and technology has finally enabled humankind to realize the dream of landing on the moon.

The lunar cycle is approximately 29 to 30 days. The Chinese people thus used to represent this period. Each year has twelve months.

Most of the characters formed using are related to “moon” or “light”. For example:

The left-hand side of the character consists (“grass”) at the top and bottom and

(“sun”) in the middle. The right-hand side of the character is (“moon”). This character thus depicts the sun rising above a field of grass before the moon has set. Therefore, the character’s original meaning was “early morning”. Later, the character

was formed by adding the “water” radical to the left of . Since seawater rises in the morning, the character represents “tidewater”.

(“night”) represents the period of time from sunset to sunrise. In the ancient character for the middle component resembles a standing person, while the semicircle on the right-hand side depicts a moon. From the character it is easy to bring to mind the period of the night when we can see the moon’s light.

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Serves Nepal for 15 yearsKeeps 70 percent telecom market share

Owns 12000000 telecom users

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The keynote speech of Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) on March 28 is both inspiring and encouraging, foreign experts, politicians and business leaders have said.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the 2015 BFA annual conference, Xi called on the international community to build a community of common destiny and welcomed participation in the China-proposed "Belt and Road" initiatives, namely, the initiatives on building the Silk Road Economic Zone and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

The "Belt and Road" initiatives and the AIIB, two major concepts noted several times by Xi in his keynote speech, will exert an indirect boosting effect in advancing science and technology, said Ernst Ulrich von Weizsacker, co-president of the Club of Rome, a Switzerland-headquartered think tank.

The two epoch-making initiatives will also facilitate development of the energy sector, said the German political scientist and politician, noting China's active efforts in preserving natural resources including water, conserving energy and improving energy efficiency.

He also hailed Xi's call for mutual learning among civilizations. A growing number of foreign scholars, he said, have come to China for academic exchanges, broadening both minds for academic study and research, which is of great significance.

As Thailand is faced with a sluggish economy, China's "Belt and Road" initiatives and railway collaboration between the two sides is more crucial than ever, said Tang Zhimin, director of China ASEAN Studies under Bangkok-based Panyapiwat Institute of Management.

Those endeavors will not only stimulate Thailand's economic performance in the short term, but also help it develop into a regional logistics hub, Tang said. As shown in the positive response of many countries to the China-initiated AIIB, the professor said China's economic and national strength have been increasingly recognized worldwide.

More importantly, it demonstrates that they trust China as a responsible global power, which cooperates with other nations on an equal footing and in accordance with international rules, Tang added.

Yangon Mayor U Hla Myint voiced his welcome for the "Belt and Road" initiatives, saying that his side stands ready for relevant cooperation at the current stage, while expecting more effective and pragmatic cooperation between Myanmar and China following the specifying of plans and projects of

those initiatives.Also inspired by Xi's remarks

on the "Belt and Road" initiatives and the AIIB, Yong Chanthalangsy, director general of the Laos Institute of Foreign Affairs, noted that his country have prepared to participate in the grand vision.

As an inland nation, Laos hopes to take part in the development of the 21st century Maritime Silk Road and the AIIB in particular, with an eye to improving its infrastructure, said the former Lao Ambassador to the U.N.

He also expressed the hope to enhance cultural and academic exchanges with China in a bid to cement mutual understanding while learning from the world's second largest economy, Chanthalangsy said.

The China-proposed "Belt and Road" initiatives are vital to strengthening and consolidating economic cooperation within Asia, said Peter Cai, Business Spectator's China editor with Media Group of Australia.

China's successful experiences in infrastructure development could be made use of by its neighboring countries, said Cai, expecting economic interconnectivity and political mutual trust to be enhanced during state-to-state cooperation.

He added that Xi upheld a regionalism featuring openness and inclusiveness, which is well evidenced by the China-led AIIB.

Vlad Martynov, CEO of Russian smartphone manufacturer Yota, said the "Belt and Road" initiatives will facilitate regional development and provide more opportunities for success.

Countries need to unit together for regional success, which can be achieved at a faster pace as the "Belt and Road" initiatives bring together energy, knowledge, technology and other resources, said Martynov.

The "Belt and Road" initiatives eye a win-win scenario, rather than being based on the mind-set of zero-sum game by which some win at the cost the losses of others, he added.

Martynov continued to commend efforts to establish the AIIB, a to-be-launched international multilateral financial institution that is aimed at financing infrastructure construction and promoting regional interconnectivity and economic integration.

The AIIB could concentrate financial resources for joint investment in infrastructure, said Martynov, adding that those funds are previously very difficult to acquire but will no doubt benefit all.

Thanks to the AIIB, regional business, not confined to big ones, will be able to realize their ambition to compete and success in the global market, he said.

China unveiled the principles, framework, priorities and mechanism for its Belt and Road Initiative on March 28.

The plan for the Silk Road Eco-nomic Belt and 21st-Century Mari-time Silk Road was issued by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China's top economic planner, and the ministries of foreign affairs and commerce.

The initiative promotes orderly and free flow of economic factors, efficient allocation of resources and integration of markets by enhancing the connectivity of Asia, Europe, Africa and adjacent seas.

The plan is expected to change the world political and economic landscape through development of countries along the routes, most of which are eager for fresh growth.

OPEN TO ALL"The programs of development

will be open and inclusive, not exclusive. They will be a real chorus comprising all countries along the routes, not a solo for China itself," Chinese President Xi Jinping told the 2015 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA).

The plan describes development of the Belt and Road as a pluralistic and open process of flexible coopera-tion.

"I see the initiative as crucial to linking up the globe by more opening up, and this is beneficial for China, Asian countries and other participants both politically and eco-nomically," said Hans-Paul Burkner, chairman of the Boston Consulting Group.

Zheng Yongnian of the National University of Singapore expects the initiative to be a new discovery process of complementary resources for countries involved.

"Some may need to improve their infrastructure; some are hungry for technology and some are cash-strapped. The development of the ini-tiative will be a process of discovery and negotiation," Zheng added.

NOT RHETORIC"The initiative is not meant as

rhetoric. It represents real work that can be seen and felt to bring real benefits to countries in the region," Xi Jinping said.

In addition to the vision and ac-

tion paper, substantive progress has been made on the Asian Infrastruc-ture Investment Bank (AIIB). The Silk Road Fund has been launched and a number of infrastructure proj-ects are moving forward, Xi added.

Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Shuvalov told the forum that Russia would apply to join the bank as a founder, the 39th country to apply.

Kazakhstan, an important partici-pant in the belt, signed 33 deals with China worth 23.6 billion U.S. dollars March 27. The deals should set a good example for other countries, said Premier Li Keqiang.

China has comparative advan-tages in manufacturing, offering rich and low-cost resources for countries to enhance industrialization, said Shi Yulong, a senior researcher with the NDRC, adding that all countries can seek benefit from cooperation along global value chains.

"There are big markets out there, with opportunities to spread manu-facturing and production among regions and improve efficiency. The more we work together, the more ev-erybody will benefit," Burkner said.

China's Belt and Road: connecting the world

5APRIL 1-15 2015 SPECIAL Asia's New Future: Towards a Community of Common Destiny

BOAO 2015

Xi's Boao remarks draw high comments

China unveiled on March 28 the principles, framework, and coopera-tion priorities and mechanisms in its Belt and Road Initiative in a bid to enhance regional connectivity and embrace a brighter future together.

The vision and actions on jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, an initiative raised by Chinese President Xi Jinping during visits to Central Asia and Southeast Asia in 2013, was issued by China's top economic planner, the National De-velopment and Reform Commission and ministries of foreign affairs and commerce.

The initiative aims to promote

orderly and free flow of economic factors, highly efficient allocation of resources and deep integration of markets by enhancing connectivity of Asian, European and African conti-nents and their adjacent seas.

It is open to all countries and in-ternational and regional organizations for engagement and honors mutual respect and market operation to seek common prosperity, the plan said.

The plan called for policy coor-dination, facilities connectivity, un-impeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bonds to make complementary use of participating countries' unique resource advantag-es through multilateral mechanisms

and multilevel platforms.China will fully leverage the

comparative advantages of its various regions and further open up for more interaction and cooperation both at home and internationally.

The development of the Belt and Road Initiative is a pluralistic and open process of cooperation which can be highly flexible without stick-ing to conformity, according to the plan.

China is ready to work with participating countries in improving the content and mode of the initiative and developing timetables and road-maps of cooperative mechanisms, plans and projects, the plan added.

China unveils action plan on Belt and Road Initiative

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Chinese participants get excited for attending mountain climbing competition on April 4 in Pharping, Kathmandu. Chinese Enterprises Association in Nepal (CEAN) has been organizing such programs annually to promote friendship and bring the Chinese community together who has been engaged on different trade and business in neighboring Nepal.

6 PHOTO FEATURE APRIL 1-15 2015

A Finnish climber Mika Samuel Mansikka and his Nepalese guide Pemba Sherpa has been killed in Mount Annapurna on March last week making it the first two casualties of the spring mountain climbing season this year in the Himalayan nation.

“We were all together as we tried to fulfill our dream by reaching the top of Mount Annapurna. However, we suffered a tragic incident while returning to the base camp,” Chinese climber Zhang told APD in an exclusive interview in Kathmandu after returning from the base camp.

The 51-year-old Zhang Liang is a professional climber, who has already made successful expeditions in 11 of the world’s 8,000 meter mountains, including Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak.

According to Zhang, Nepali guide Pemba Sherpa was leading the team to the base camp. At first they thought that he may have walked faster and already reached the camp however knew later that he was dead. He said that Mansikka might have been trapped in an isolated area of the mountain during the night. He might have died for lack of oxygen as he tried to find his way down.

“I could still see the torchlight in Samuel’s head during night, few meters away from our location but we couldn’t reach him because of the rough terrain. The mountains, especially at night, are treacherous,” Zhang said.

Both climbers lost their lives at around 7,000 meters during their descent from the summit of Mount Annapurna to Camp 4.

Though the spring climbing generally begins in April, a team of seven international climbers and six Sherpa guides, including Zhang, conquered the 8,091 meters tall summit on March 24. Their expedition was arranged by Dreamers Destinations located in Kathmandu.

TEXT SHRISTI KAFLEPHOTOS ZHANG LIANG

Tragedy in Mt. Annapurna

7BUSINESSAPRIL 1-15 2015

AIIB to have zero-tolerance for corruption

IKEA, how to conquer the world?It took some time to

figure out just the right shopping complex, off just the right highway interchange and just the right distance from Seoul, that could accommodate a 624,000-square-foot store—that is to say, one more than three times the size of the average Wal-Mart Supercenter. It took more time to solve certain mysteries, like how big to make the store’s children’s section in a country where kids are often given ample space in the family living

quarters. It took more time to figure out how to showcase kitchens that incorporate kimchi refrigerators, a uniquely Korean appliance—and even more time to untangle nuances of the market, like the South Korean’s preference for metal chopsticks.

In all, it took about six years for Ikea to unveil its inaugural store in South Korea, in Gwangmyeong, starting from the first scouting trip. Ikea celebrated

the opening in December with a tree planting rather than ribbon cutting. (Chalk that up to Ikea tradition rather than to South Korean custom.)

The lag was quintessentially Ikean. “They are ferocious about not expanding too rapidly,” says David Marcotte of consulting firm Kantar Retail. But six years? “The more global, the more complex it gets,” replies Mikael Palmquist, the regional manager of retail for Asia Pacific. “We need to get these things right or we will

never be taken seriously.”Even with all that careful

planning, Ikea managed to get a few things wrong. It misjudged the number of parking spaces needed, and a seemingly benign map for sale upset some customers: The body of water east of Korea was labeled the Sea of Japan rather than the East Sea, as South Koreans prefer.

But the Koreans seem, for the most part, to have forgiven the Swedes. Today the Gwangmyeong store,

which is the company’s largest in the world by shopping area, is on track to become one of Ikea’s top-performing outlets for 2015.

The success is hardly a fluke. Ikea, it seems, is a genius at selling Ikea—flat packing, transporting, and reassembling its quirky Swedish styling all across the planet. The furniture and furnishings brand is in more countries than Wal-Mart, Carrefour, and Toys “R” Us. China, where Ikea has eight of its 10 biggest stores, is the company’s fastest-growing market. An outlet in Morocco is coming soon, and there are hints that Brazil may not be far off. Meanwhile, Ikea is going meatballs out in India, where it plans to invest about $2 billion over a decade to open 10 stores.

Getting it right in emerging markets like China and India, where Ikea is well-positioned to capitalize on a growing middle class, is a key factor in its goal of hitting €50 billion in sales by 2020. That’s up from €28.7 billion in its fiscal 2014 ($39 billion based on the average exchange rate for Ikea’s fiscal year) and almost double its 2005 sales level. Today the Ikea Group has 318 stores, not including the brand’s some four dozen franchised locations; it’s aiming for around 500 by 2020.

The Asian InfrastructureInvestment Bank (AIIB) will maintain a zero-tolerance stance against corruption, said Jin Liqun, secretary general of the interim multilateral secretariat of the China-proposed institution, on March 22.

Meanwhile, the AIIB will work to boost green and low-carbon economy, Jin said at the China Development Forum.

China proposed to build the AIIB to meet the huge funding demand

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has stressed the importance of improved business service for startups while visiting the national market watchdog.

The industry and commerce departments are crucial in streamlining administration and delegating power to lower levels, as well as combining power delegation with management, Li said while visiting the State Administration of Industry and Commerce on March 20.

“Your job plays a key role in stabilizing growth, boosting innovation and expanding employment,” he said.

Amid current commercial system reforms, startups still face constraints and more efforts need to be made to release the vigor of market and the bonus from reforms, he said. Supervision should be improved to boost fair competition and methods should be innovated to improve supervision efficiency, he said.

China must boost entrepreneurship and innovation and cultivate new growth engines, so as to maintain a medium-high-level growth rate and move toward a medium-high-level

of development, Li said.“This is an important

reform, as well a structural reform,” he said. More efforts will be made to crack down on fake goods and intellectual property rights

violations to encourage companies to provide better products and services, as well as boost public confidence in “made in China” goods, Li said.

Chinese premier stresses better service for startups

China confirmed on April 1 that 31 countries have been approved as prospective founding members of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

The application deadline was March 31 and the number of founding members will be confirmed on April 15, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying, adding that some applicant states are still undergoing a multilateral review process.

The China-proposed

development bank will be compatible with established international lenders, said Hua, describing its establishment as a move of mutual benefit to countries in Asia and worldwide.

China will make joint efforts with all the other founding members to build the bank into a professional, efficient financing platform for infrastructure projects, she said. The initial subscribed capital is expected 50 billion U.S. dollars.

Premier Li reaffirms AIIB cooperative stanceChinese Premier Li Keqiang on March 23 reaffirmed

cooperation between the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and existing financial institutions.

The AIIB will take an open and inclusive attitude and be complementary to existing development banks, said Li at a meeting with the president of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Takehiko Nakao.

The AIIB will strengthen the region’s communication, social and economic development, Li said.

Nakao said the ADB is ready to cooperate with the AIIB. Speaking of the support of the ADB, the premier pledged further partnership with ADB and called on it to play a bigger role in poverty reduction and development.

31 nations approved as AIIB founding members

A Nepalese team comprising of government officials and business delegation arrived after attending the 10th China (Jinan) Solar Utilization Convention & Exhibition 2015.

KiranSaakha, the coordinator of Nepal-ChinaSolar Promotion Council coordinated the

delegation to attend the exhibition on March 28, 29 and 30 in Shandong

province of China.

“We met solar industrialistsand

governmentofficials and talked about the promotion of

solar energy in Nepal”, said Saakha to APD on April 2.

Saakha revealed his interest in establishing solar industry in Nepal, which could minimize the current energy crisis.

“The Jinan exhibition tried to assure the quality of Chinese solar products and provided firsthand information about the products” added Saakha.

Chinese solar goods are popularly purchased in Nepal due to its quality and reasonable price.

Nepalese delegation participates in Jinan exhibition

in infrastructure sector in Asia, and China will boost cooperation in Asia through shouldering more

responsibilities,he said. The AIIB aims to become an international financial institution providing support

to infrastructure projects in Asia, and is expected to be established before the end of this year.

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8 TOURISM APRIL 1-15 2015

India to promote coastal tourism

India will focus more closely on promoting coastal tourism to develop the country’s long coast tourist resources and its links with other Indian Ocean countries, said an official on March 21.

“India has a long coastline of 7,500 km which possesses rich culture and heritage. If this can be harnessed along with beach tourism, culture and pilgrim tourism, all states particularly coastal states like Odisha will be benefited”, Minister of State for Tourism Mahesh Sharma said at the international conference in Bhubaneswar in the eastern state Odisha.

The minister said India’s new initiative to deepen ties with Indian Ocean Rim (IOR) countries would also help to promote intra- regional trade and tourism among countries of the grouping.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka is the example of the government’s initiative in this direction, said the official. The conference is attended by the representatives of 20 countries of Indian Ocean Region.

The number of Chinese tourists has significantly increased in Nepal in the recent time. National Tourism Administration office in Kathmandu told APD recently that the number of mainland Chinese visiting Nepal as their first destinations reached to 138,000 within 11 months of 2014.

According to their data, an average of 12,500 Chinese tourists visit this Himalayan nation every month.

There is a growth in number of Chinese tourists visiting Nepal as only 46,360 Chinese nationals had visited Nepal in 2011 while it reached to 113,173 in 2013. The number of Chinese tourists increased by nearly 18 per cent in 2014 compared to the previous year.

In 2001, China designated Nepal as the first destination in South Asia for its citizens.

With enhanced connectivity and existing geographic closeness, the tourism industry witnessed

Chinese arrivals in Nepal crosses 150,000 in 2014

The number of Nepalese people visiting China has reached to 54,000 in 2014. This number is comparatively low as compared to 2013, which

witnessed 58,800 Nepalese tourists.

As inform by National Tourism Administration office to APD, “Only 6000 Nepalese visited China in

January and February this year”.

The first two months of a year mark spring festival or Chinese New Year. It is the peak season for tourism business in Nepal as most of the Chinese visits Nepal. Advanced booking of the tickets and price hike of air tickets by the travel agencies are two main reasons that the Nepalese people cannot afford China visit during this period of time.

The living standard of Nepalese is not so high that China visit has become a choice for few and only a dream for many.

According to Bureau of Entry-Exit Administration, Ministry of Public Security of China, the number of Nepalese people visiting China had reached an all-time high in 2013 with a growth of 43.6 percent.

Nepalese visiting China reaches 54,000 in 2014

the high flow of Chinese tourists to this Himalayan nation.

Only on April first, Sichuan Airlines started its operation of daily flights to Nepal being the fourth Chinese carrier flying from northern neighbor to this Himalayan nation followed by Air China, China Southern and China Eastern airlines.

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