KATHMANDU: For most people staying in Lhasa is for business or leisure, but for Champa it is a family tradition and dream.

Originally from Kathmandu, Nepal, Champa has worked as a restaurant manager in the Tibet autonomous region’s capital since 2000 and started running one of his two South Asian restaurants, Namaste – a salutation among Buddhists – in a traditional Tibetan house, in 2005.

“I fancied Lhasa as my grandfather, who was a businessman, looked for opportunities in Tibet during the 1950s and found his life partner in Lhasa.”

Following in the footsteps of his grandparents, Champa not only married a Tibetan woman but also found the meaning of life from his successful catering business.

“Nepal neighbors Tibet (autonomous region) and we are doing pretty well. We have many things in common,” says the 36-year-old.

“We want to provide customers with the special tastes of Nepal and India, so they can enjoy the various cultures.”

He added the restaurant in Lhasa ensures its pricing is affordable to locals because “the restaurant survives here not just for a profitable purpose”.

“We always think of the customers and treat them well with real Indian dishes,” Brem, 40, a Nepalese cook who has been working at Namaste for eight years says.

“We have many things in common, especially our cultures. Lhasa is a wonderful place to live with nice, local people.”

According to Champa, Tibet is a tourism destination for people from across the world, and they often eat in restaurants.

“It is a good place for business, because many people in Lhasa enjoy eating Indian, Nepalese, and Western dishes,” says Champa’s wife, Samki.

Local authorities show a supportive attitude toward foreigners operating businesses in Lhasa, according to Samki.

Getting all the paperwork done to run a foreign-owned restaurant took six months in the 2000s, but now only takes about three months.

“The determining factor for success is being in the right place at the right time with the right people. This is what we call karma,” Samki says.

Besides policy support from the government, there are preferential financial policies such as interest-free loans of up to 6 million yuan ($977,600) available to foreign-owned businesses, Samki says. Namaste started with three Nepalese cooks when it opened in 2005.

The restaurant now employs 40 people, including 13 Nepalese, most of whom have learnt to speak fluent local language.

“We don’t have plans to expand our business. Instead we encourage our staff to learn from the Nepalese cooks and open their own restaurants,” Champa says.

The restaurant has added Nepalese, Indian, Western, and a few Chinese and even Cantonese dishes to the menu since the end of 2006.

“We also introduced Islamic cuisine for Muslims. On some auspicious days on the Tibetan calendar, we only offer vegetarian dishes,” Champa says. (Credit: China Daily)

Similarly, China has agreed to provide logistics materials of office supplies worth Rs. 154.1 million for the Constituent Assembly election.

Two separate letters of exchange to this effect were signed on Tuesday in the presence of Chairman of the Interim Election Council of Ministers, Khil Raj Regmi and the visiting State Councilor of the People´s Republic of China, Yang Jiechi.

The Agreement and the Letters of Exchange were signed by Finance Secretary Shantaraj Subedi and and Jiang Zengwei, Vice Minister, Ministry of Commerce , Government of People´s Republic of China, respectively.

Ther Government of Nepal has expressed its sincere appreciation to the Government of China for this assistance and also for its continued support in the socio-economic development of Nepal.

KATHMANDU: Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi arrived in Nepal’s capital on Monday leading 19-member delegation. The delegation will be in Nepal for two days during which it is stated to hold discussion with the Vice President Parmananda Jha, Chairman of the Interim Election Council Khilaraj Regmi, Foreign Minister Madhav Prasad Ghimire along with senior leaders from political parties.

Jeichi is the highest foreign leader to visit Nepal since the formation of the Regmi led government.

A meeting between FM Ghimire and Jeichi has been scheduled on Monday evening. Though no official comments have been made, it is believed that the delegations will center on the proposed Constituent Assembly elections, Chinese investments in Nepal’s infrastructure, and the Pro-Tibetan activities in Nepal among others.

Before heading home after completing their two day visit, the delegation is also scheduled to visit the Bhaktapur Durbar Square.

KATHMANDU: Chinese Vice-Minister for Education Hao Ping is arriving here today on a five-day official visit to Nepal at the invitation of Minister for Education Madhav Poudel.

During his visit, China is expected to announce its support to establish a Polytechnic Institute in Nepal including other projects in education.

Likewise, Nepal government is making requests for increasing the quotas of scholarships for medical students, providing technical skills and for capacity building of Nepali human resources by mobilizing Chinese volunteers.

The Embassy of China, Kathmandu, has expressed willingness to construct libraries, building and physical infrastructure in 10 different Himalayan districts within a month.

KATHMANDU: China has pitched in its concern over the growing political transition in Nepal with one of most powerful politician- UCPN Maoist Chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda. During his meeting with key Chinese politicians that included President Xi Jinping, he was asked to deploy measures to stabilize politics at the earliest among other issues.

Prachanda said that he found Chinese government concerned about the extending political transition in the country while adding that the issue dominated his 15 minutes dialogue with President Xi Jinping while talking to journalist in Kathmandu after returning from China on Saturday night.

Jinping while inquiring about the latest measures taken by Nepalese political parties to hold CA elections, had specially stressed on the need to end transition so that Nepal could move ahead economically. Though President Jinping was not reported to have shown any particular interest in the CPN Maoist Chairman Mohan Baidya and other dissenting parties who have declined to participate in the proposed CA elections, lower rung of Chinese leaders did inquire about the confrontation between major political parties and CPN Maoist led group of 31 dissenting political partites, Prachanda said.

He said that he assuaged the Chinese concerns about the dissenting parties and about the repercussions stemming from the demand for ethnic federal states. While not elaborating on the nature of federalism that he assured to the Chinese leaders, Prachanda informed that the Chinese laid stress on forming a federal Nepal that has a powerful and stabilized central federal government system.

Maintaining cordial relationship with India and moving ahead jointly on issues of regional importance also were reported to be major discussions during the meetings. Prachanda said that the Chinese were keen on working closely with India to implement the 10MW Chisapani- Karnal Hydropower project and Lumbini Development Zone project.

Stating that economic development should be Nepal’s priority, Prachanda said that China has expressed more willingness of cooperating with the Indian side on many fronts in Nepal and in the region. He said that China has substantial amount of investments in India too and claimed that Chinese suggested Nepali politicians should also move ahead by working in close ties with both of its neighbor.

RISHI DHAMALA: United CPN Maoist Chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal’s weeklong visit to our northern neighbor and world’s rising power China at a time when Nepal is at peak of its transition has been analyzed significantly by all sectors. The visit made in the capacity of not only as the Chairman of Nepal’s largest political party but also in the capacity as the Chairman of Interim Election Council, will have wider impact on political, diplomatic, economic and other national sectors. Each of these sector is presently mulling on the factors that paved way for Prachanda’s visit to China.

Soon after China-visit, Prachanda is slated to make an official visit to India also. And these series of visits to both of Nepal’s next door neighbor has even more significance. China and India have always been active partners in our development endeavors and witnesses of our people’s political and economic struggles. Prachanda’s announcement that these visits are aimed at establishing peace, stability and development in Nepal have been received positively.

China’s growing economic dominance across the world is strategically in favor of Nepal. There has been change of guard in Chinese Communist Party and its government and also in Prachanda’s party. Cordial relationship between both nation’s communist party’s leadership seems to impart extra significance to his visit while promising repercussions in national politics.

China new leadership has recognized Prachanda as the key leader in Nepal and this is justified by the official visit invitation. Prachanda too also has renovated diplomatic tradition of Nepalese politicians considering Nepal’s geo-political situation and power-balance relationship between powerful nations. In the past, Prachanda was the one to break the unwritten diplomatic tradition of Nepalese politician to make their official state visit to India first. He had started his official visit to China. The break-way seemed to have cost him dearly.

Though not connected apparently, he was forced to resign from the post due to ‘Katuwal scandal’. However he has quickly learned the lesson of not irking one neighbor to gain the favor of other. He has adopted the philosophy of establishing Nepal as a connecting bridge between both neighbors. Though he made his first visit to China, he has clearly mentioned that India visit will follow soon after that. The statement was indicative of his party’s ‘connecting bridge’ policy.
Nepal’s adherence to One China policy and restriction of use of Nepalese soil to threat China’s national integrity has been Beijing’s main concern. The Free Tibet activities, termed as ‘anti-Chinese’ by the Chinese activities and fueled by the Western nations in the name of human rights in Nepal, has been a concerning issue for the Chinese leadership. During the erstwhile CA, China was concerned with the presence of UNMIN and with the growing influence of European nations in the federalization of Nepal. China is concerned that ethnic federalism can weaken Nepal’s national integrity and sovereignty and it’s leaders and diplomats have always brought this issue to the attention of Nepalese politicians.

India too has also expressed similar concerns as its own internal security is also connected to Nepal’s stability. Common concerns on core security issues have brought India and China on the same page. Well aware of these newly born circumstances, Prachanda is sure to assuage concerns of both nations during his visits. Needless to say, ethnic federalism will be Beijing’s main concern and Prachanda will be assuaging these concern.

China’s adoption of socialist capitalism and its corresponding growth seems to have enchanted Prachanda too. His call to Nepali youths to involve in industrial growth seems to have derived from the socialist-capitalism. The stress also indicated the shift of Maoist stress on economic growth from solo politics. While its main objective remains on national development, the policy to involve youths in economic activities will also be imperative in assuaging ethnic federalist demands, as youths will be focused on economic activities. And China has hinted to help Nepal in implementing this strategy.

Though these visits might pave way for bringing both neighbors on the same page, bringing internal dissenting political forces that includes some specialized ethnic federal forces, remains an uphill task for the Maoist supremo and his major political party counterparts.

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Translated/Edited by: Chitra Raj Bhandari

KATHMANDU: UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda who is currently on a week-long China trip met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of People in Beijing, China today.

Nepal’s top politician and former prime minister Prachanda discussed the issues ranging from Nepal’s CA polls, Nepal-China relations, Chinese economic assistance to Nepal among others. The meeting lasted for nearly 40 minutes.

Nepali Ambassador to China Dr Mahesh Maskey was also present on the occasion.

Earlier, on Wednesday Prachanda had met with Chinese Vice-President Li Yuonchao and discussed issues of bilateral relations and mutual interests between Nepal and China.

Maoist chairman Prachanda also met Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday. Similarly, he held an interaction with the Chinese intellects and economic leaders.

KATHMANDU: UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda who is currently on a week-long China trip is meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of Beijing, China, this afternoon.

Nepal’s top politician and former prime minister Prachanda is expected to talks issuing ranging from upcoming Nepal’s CA polls, Nepal-China relationship, Chinese economic assistance to Nepal and two parties relationship.

Prachanda has gotten 40 minutes to hold discussions with the Chinese President. Only high profile politicians get such a long time for discussions with the Chinese President.

Nepali Ambassador to China Dr Mahesh Maskey would also accompany Prachanda during his meeting with the top Chinese leader.
Earlier, on Wednesday Prachanda had met with Chinese Vice-President Li Yuonchao and discussed issues of bilateral relations and mutual interests between Nepal and China.

Maoist chairman Prachanda also met Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday. Similarly, he held an interaction with the Chinese intellects and economic leaders.

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s top politician and Chairman of UCPN (Maoist) Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, who is in a weeklong China visit, has pledged to take steps for creating an investment-friendly business environment to encourage Chinese investments in Nepal.

He wished the Chinese investment especially in water resources, industrial development and transport networks.

Addressing a gathering of intellectuals and scholars at a program held at the Sichuan University in Chengdu of Sichuan province of China on Monday, Chairman Dahal, currently on a visit of the People’s Republic of China, said foreign investors are to get full protection according to the Home Ministry’s comprehensive national security plan to strengthen order and security in the country.

He also thanked China for the valuable economic and technical support it has been providing over the years as Nepal’s development partner, particularly for the recent duty free facility for 7787 export items.

Describing bilateral relations with China as ‘excellent’, the UCPN (Maoist) Chairman said Nepal has always been a staunch supporter of one China policy, and has thereby never allowed its territory to be used against the interest of China.

“Sovereign equality, mutual respect, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, friendship and mutual cooperation are the cornerstones of our bilateral relations with all countries”, he said.

Speaking about the current situation in Nepal, Chairman Prachanda said Nepal is now trying to draft a new constitution after electing a new Constituent Assembly and hope that the proposed CA elections would institutionalize and stabilize peace, democracy and justice in the country.

“The dissolution of the previous CA was caused by the combined effects of the reluctance of the traditional parliamentary parties to grant rights to marginalized people through federalism and the limitation on the tenure fixed by the Supreme Court”, he said.

“We believe giving a greater say to the marginalized groups in the national processes can lead to a situation where the deep-seated differences vanish to promote fraternity, reconciliation and tolerance among all sections of the population to maintain national unity and harmony”, he added.

During his speech, the former Prime Minister said he believed that Nepal could play a very important role in enhancing friendship and mutual cooperation between India and China, and their mutual cooperation was the best safeguard of Nepal’s national interest.

“China and India can provide relief to our ailing economy by allowing the entry of our products at zero or concessional tariff rates and encouraging their citizens to visit us for correcting the adverse balance of payment”, Dahal noted.

The concept of more prosperous countries extending cooperation to less developed countries has relevance to regional security, stability and development in Asia, he added.

Likewise, Chairman Prachanda also called for more collaborative efforts to protect the environment and counteract the ill effects of global warming so that the perennial sources of rivers originating from snow clad mountains including the Mount Everest don’t become a thing of the past.

UCPN Maoist Puspa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda has been in the limelight for the recent years for coming up with ideas and strategies. Since the demise of Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala, Prachanda has dominated Nepali politics to the extent that the proposal of forming the incumbent Chief Justice led government was also his. This former rebel leader has been invited Chinese President Xi Jinping officially. Given Jinping’s recent comment to build close relationship with neighboring nations and his invitation to Prachanda has been read significantly by observers. Before heading to Beijing on Sunday, Prachanda spoke to Nepalireporter’s Rishi Dhamala on issues that his visit will be prioritizing. Here are the excerpts:

What is the objective of this visit?

This visit will be different than my previous visits to China. Instead of political affairs, during this visit discussions will center on economic front, areas of China-Nepal cooperation, India-China relationship, and Indo-Nepal cooperation. Along with that economic cooperation for helping Nepal pass through the transition will be another priority area.

Is your visit political or economical?

It is obvious to have China’s cooperation in holding Constituent Assembly (CA) elections and drafting of the new constitution. My agenda’s will concentrate on ensuring Nepal’s economic development. China has positioned itself as the second economic power and as a neighbor its contribution in our development activities and initiatives should be more. Priority areas for this are mega projects like the West Seti Hydropower, Pokhara Airport, and other projects include railway extension till Kathmandu, middle-mountain roadway, Kathmandu Metro Railway, Herbs and Medicene processing, and other afro-related projects which includes China’s advanced hybrid-rice seedling technology.

Whom are you going to hold discussions with?

The scheduled is yet not ascertained. But I am expecting to hold discussions with key Chinese politicians. I will be first addressing a meet of South Asian intellectuals in Chengdu. Than after i will head for Beijing where i will hold discussions with Chinese leaders including President Xi Jinping. After discussions I will be visiting special Chinese economic zones and will return home via Hong Kong.

Is this party or a national consensus visit?

I am heading for China as the Coordinator of Interim Electoral Council and thus represent the view of Nepali government and those of the major political parties. This is a official state visit and my efforts will concentrate on making it advantageous for Nepal in the days ahead.

What is the political significance?

It is obvious for our neighbors to have a stable neighborhood. We are preparing to hold fresh CA elections to draft a new constitution. This visit will try to garner support from our neighbor for both of this endeavor which will end our transition and bring stability.

Is India visit also on the cards?

I am in regular consultations with the Indian embassy in Kathmandu. Theoritically I will heading for India on a weeklong visit at the end of this month. However a date for the visit has not been ascertained so far. It might be in the last week of April or first week of May. That visit will also be different in the way that it will also center on eon comic agendas more than political. Both China and India are serious about Nepal’s development and I am looking forward to come up with projects in which both of these neighbors can work together. Such a project will help in creating a mutually beneficial relationship with these nations.

Nepal has so far not succeeded in balancing both nations. What are your plans?

I am planning to create environment in which both nations could work together in Nepal. It is important because conflict between their interests in Nepal is not beneficial for us. tilting towards any one of them at the cost of another cannot work anymore. Its time for us to learn from both of our neighbors to develop a prosperous nation. In the past there was a trend of using one neighbor against another, its time to end that.