» 01/16/2012 15:15 NEPAL - CHINA Wen Jiabao visits Nepal. Police arrest 114 Tibetan activists by Kalpit Parajuli The Chinese Premier has asked for new security measures to prevent anti-China demonstrations by Tibetan exiles. Economic contracts for over 6 billion dollars signed for the construction of hydroelectric dams and airports.
Kathmandu (AsiaNews) - Strengthening security measures against the Tibetan exiles and support for the "One China Policy" in exchange for economic aid and investment. This is what emerged from the recent visit to Nepal by Wen Jiabao, Premier of China. To avoid anti-Chinese demonstrations, the police arrested 114 Tibetan activists and kept secret the arrival of the delegation until a few hours before landing. This is the first visit by Premier Wen Jiabao.
In his visit, January 14, Wen discussed with Baburan Bhattarai, Nepalese prime minister, cabinet members and others, future economic agreements between the two countries and signed the Treaty for the protection and promotion of bilateral investments (Bippa). Under the agreement, Beijing will invest over 6 billion dollars in development projects in Nepal. Among the most important; the international airport of Pokhara, the West Seti and Budhigandaki Nysalgadh hydroelectric dams. In addition to funds for infrastructure, China has also donated 48 thousand dollars to help the government in Kathmandu to complete the reintegration into society of more than 19 thousand former Maoist guerrillas.
Yesterday, Bhattarai told media that the meeting with Wen marked a major step to redefine the strategies of foreign policy and restore credibility to the country at an international level. According to Bhattarai, Nepal has for many years been at the mercy of China and India but that in the coming years it will use its strategic position to become a bridge between the two Asian economic giants. This can be achieved by encouraging the construction of infrastructure, especially airports, railways and highways.
The country has a 1,414 km long common border with Tibet. From 1990 to 2006, the parliamentary monarchy, on the advice of India, allowed the free movement of Tibetan exiles in the country. The Dalai Lama and members of the Tibetan government in exile in Dharamsala (India) visited the country several times. To date over 20 thousand Tibetan refugees are registered with the UN offices. After the abolition of the monarchy in 2006 and rise to power of Maoist and Communist formations Nepal has changed course, abandoning the old ally India in preference of closer relations with China. In exchange for economic aid, Beijing has demanded the closure of borders with Tibet and the repression of any anti-Chinese demonstration.
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