A professor at the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies located in Beijing, China, 72-year old Wang Hong-wei is an influential expert on building China’s policy on Nepal. Wang talks to Sharad Adhikari in Beijing:

Q: How do you see the recent political developments in Nepal?

Wang Hong-wei: Nepal entering a republican era is a great achievement for the Nepali people; this will lead Nepal on the path of success and prosperity. It’s the beginning of the transformation of a feudal society into a democratic culture.

Q: The bilateral ties between China and Nepal’s monarchy remained agreeable for many years. Who is likely to have such a relationship now? 

Wang: China maintains good ties with the leaders of every country over sovereignty and welfare of its national security. China had a relationship with Nepal’s royal institution in the past in accordance with its foreign policy. The Kings used to be Nepal’s head of state until two years ago, accepted by the Nepali people as well. And thus our country had a relationship with the head of the state (King). Advertising that China shared a special relationship with Nepal’s monarchy is wrong.

Our country will maintain healthy and pleasant ties with Nepal’s head of state, who will be elected as per the people’s mandate in republic Nepal. China will have the same relationship with all the political parties.

Q: Didn’t the end of monarchy in Nepal feel like losing a close friend?

Wang: Obviously, it did. It is natural to feel bad to lose any friend who you have worked with for a long time. However, the monarchy’s end was a natural occurrence.

Q: Why did the monarchy end in Nepal?

Wang: There are three reasons for the end of monarchy in Nepal. First, the Shah Dynasty’s last King Gyanendra was unpopular. The general public believed Gyanendra was involved in the Royal Massacre. He may or may not have been behind the incident. Secondly, King Gyanendra took control of democracy and he did nothing to support the citizens. He increased his budget more than that of the past. Anti-monarchy protests sparked significantly when the condition of the royal institution was in such a state.

Q: If so, then why did China express solidarity with the royal regime?    

Wang: China deals with a country rather than some party or special power. The deal was with the royal institution since it was leading Nepal ever since the past. Even after the monarchy’s end, China’s ties remain the same with the government headed by Girija Prasad Koirala. And China will have to deal with Nepal as a sovereign country when Prachanda (CPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal) becomes the country’s prime minister.

Q: So, hypothetically, even if a government is formed through a military coup, will you support it?   

Wang: Will the citizens of Nepal support it? What I understand is the people will not support it. It is impossible for the army to try to capture power through a coup in Nepal.

Q: Will your support continue should the Maoists exercise authoritarian rule?

Wang: Do the Nepali people want that kind of rule? I feel they don’t. The citizens of Nepal will decide what kind of system of rule they want in Nepal.

Q: Did you play the role of a mediator in establishing the relationship between China and Maoist chairman Prachanda?

Wang: My recent visit to Nepal was on the invitation of the Maoist chairman. I have also talked with him a few times. I met Maoist leader and chairman Prachanda as a professor about two years ago. Before this, Chinese officials or intellectuals had not maintained any contact with the Maoists. I met the Maoists only after the party became public.

Q: Does Prachanda have any plans to visit China in the near future?

Wang: Maybe he will come (to China) after becoming the prime minister. We are ready to welcome him anytime. I think he will visit India first and then only Chine after becoming the prime minister.

Q: What kind of support will China provide to the Maoist-led government?

Wang: China will support it in the same way it has been supporting the previous governments.

Q: The Constituent Assembly is drafting a new constitution and establishing a federal system in Nepal. What kind of national system, do you think, will be appropriate in Nepal?

Wang: Despite being a geographically small country, Nepal is full of different indigenous groups and languages. The country’s system must be made including all these aspects. A country may become weaker if it is federalised on the basis of caste. Nepal can become a strong and advanced country if the federal structure is focussed mainly on geography-based development instead of a caste-based one.

Q: How does China see the increasing role of India in Nepal’s politics?

Wang: China knows very well that India wants to turn Nepal into a second Bhutan or Sikkim.  Moreover, Nepal may enter the process of “Sikkim-isation”. But, China must not let this situation occur. China will always lend its support to keep Nepal sovereign, free and united.

Q: What kind of support?

Wang: China is in favour of sovereignty, party-wise and patriotic unity in Nepal. But I think the time has not yet come for China to play an intervening role for that because the feeling of patriotism is still alive in Nepal.