This year China and Nepal are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between them. 

The two countries can naturally take pride in trustworthy and peaceful conduct of state-to-state affairs throughout the past 50 years. The credit for nurturing and fostering such a model relationship, based on trust and peaceful engagements, can be attributed to the following characteristics:

First and foremost, both countries conduct their bilateral affairs on the basis of equality. China is an emerging powerhouse that encompasses 9.6 million square kilometers and a population of more than 1.3 billion. Nepal is a transitional country of 147,181 sq km, with a population of about 24.5 million.

Despite the differences in size, both countries treat each other with civility and respect. The differences in social system, size and population have not affected neighborly relations over the past 50 years.

Second, Sino-Nepalese ties are dynamic and responsive to each other's need. The understanding that principles are to be adapted to specific developments has always been the rule between the two. This understanding is the result of more than 2,000 years of contact between China and Nepal, and of social and economic contact in the last 50 years as good neighbors.

This understanding has helped China and Nepal endure and surpass ups and downs brought about by changing times and circumstances.

Third, both countries have common forward-looking agendas related to peace, security and development. It is the domestic priority of continuing prosperity for ordinary people, as well as peace, security and development, which have helped both countries in relations with others.

China and Nepal can confidently face the 21st century. China is vigorously pursuing its plan to develop its western regions. Under this strategy, it is extending railways, roads, aviation routes, and energy related infrastructure projects in its western frontiers, including in Xinjiang, Tibet and Yunnan.

This will have a highly conducive impact on neighboring Nepal, China's immediate western neighbor. It will help Nepal reconstruct and reform its trade, transit, tourism and cultural contact with China, and thus allow it to integrate itself with western China's modernization, development and opening up programs. China is also working on reforms related to good governance and democratization to improve the effectiveness of public organizations.

The key purpose of these reforms is to help ordinary people participate in the governing process and improve their lives.

Nepal, which had devolved local governments in the past, can learn from China's political reforms and policies of improving people's living standards.

Sino-Nepalese relations have shown that they are driven more by sincerity than strategic goals, and this will be increasingly so as relations develop even further over future years.

It is this value-added characteristic of Sino-Nepalese ties that means they are immune from outside interference.

Furthermore, both countries cooperate within a regional framework to maximize socio-economic benefits and push for greater peace and stability.

Sino-Nepalese ties, backed by the people, are positioned to achieve new heights. People of both countries, happy with the benefits they get from each other, will be the ones to secure relations for generations to come.

(China Daily March 8, 2005)