By TON Nepal

After two consecutive visits from China in March and July by its Foreign Minister and head of the international department of the Chinese Communist Party Beijing extended an invitation to Nepal’s Foreign Minister for a China visit. The invitation sent on July 29 seen for an early August date for Nepalese foreign minister visit, suggesting August 10.

The Nepalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed the invitation for Foreign Minister adding that they are looking into it. Apparently, it has become indeterminate following new strains between Beijing and Washington in the wake of US House Speaker visit to Taiwan on Tuesday. Since the condition is still unpredictable, it is premature that if Nepalese foreign minister will make a trip to the north on the proposed date.

If the visit takes place next week without the situation chilling down, it might be understood as Nepal’s support to Beijing's position on the ongoing face-off between China and the US. They said they are weighing possible diplomatic and political ramifications in the occasion of the visit amid increasing tensions between two major powers. There has not been any high-level official visit from Nepal to China since the creation of the current government in July last year.

On July 29 the Embassy of People’s Republic of China in Nepal presented its tributes to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the government of Nepal and has the honor to inform that the State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China would like to invite Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal to visit China in early “August 2022”.

The embassy also attached the agenda and schedule of the visit. As per the schedule provided by the Chinese embassy, the Chinese side plans to welcome the foreign minister of Nepal in Qingdao, Shandong Province of China on August 10.

On the same evening, a meeting with a small group has been scheduled followed by a large group meeting before concluding the formal function with a banquet hosted by the Chinese side. As per the plan, the Nepali delegation will return to Kathmandu on August 11.

The preparations were on track until the recent US-China tensions widening up. Pelosi’s visit to the self-ruled island, which China claims to be its own, has left Beijing furious. China responded abruptly showing its strong opposition to the disputed visit and serious repercussions and considered it a serious violation of the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-US joint communiqués.

It would be a severe impact on the political foundation of China-US relations, and it seriously trespasses upon China’s sovereignty and regional integrity. It grimly undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and sends a seriously wrong signal to the separatist forces for “Taiwan independence” said the Chinese Foreign Ministry in a statement.

As China definitely opposes and sternly condemns it and has made serious demarche and strong protest to the United States. As there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the only legal government represents the whole of China.

On Wednesday, the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal put out an exactly same statement, with the addition to explain how China appreciates Nepal’s commitment to one-China policy. It is also the political foundation of “China-Nepal relations”. The two countries have always understood and supported each other on issues of core interests concerning respective sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

As previously also the government of Nepal and its people will continue to abide by the one-China principle and understand and support China’s legitimate and justified position and work together with China to defend each other’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

Nepali officials say as US House Speaker visit has become a fresh flashpoint amid heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing that have exchanged sharp rhetoric in recent years, they are considering whether the foreign minister should travel to the north or not .

Lately, both Beijing and Washington have renewed their push to increase their engagements with Kathmandu. Recently, China warned the US against “coercive diplomacy” in Nepal over the Millennium Challenge Corporation compact, a $500 million American grant.

US House Speaker has already departed from Taipei, but China-Taiwan tensions have continued with Beijing firing missiles into the waters around the island. Chinese state media reported that several ballistic missiles were fired into waters to the east of Taiwan on Thursday. Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command, according to the state media, said that rocket forces in multiple locations on the mainland launched several types of missiles carrying conventional warheads to designated waters off the eastern coast of Taiwan.

The Chinese ambassador’s statement as Beijing’s intent, albeit obliquely, to shore up Kathmandu’s position on the Taiwan issue as per Nepal’s commitment to one-China policy. Foreign Ministry officials say they are closely following what position other regional and neighboring countries are going to make on the developments in the Taiwan Strait. The Chinese embassy in Kathmandu in the invitation letter also has sought confirmation of the visit.

It would be highly appreciated if the esteemed ministry could confirm the above mentioned agenda [trip to Qingdao, Shan Dong Province of China] and provide the name list of the delegation [including the name, title and passport numbers], name list of participants in various activities and the information of the flight as soon as possible,” said the letter sent by the embassy.

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said that there is a standing invitation from China for the Foreign Minister’s visit and they are still working on it. Due to the evolving situation and it has not confirmed yet the visit. There’s nothing to share at this point of time, including whether the visit will take place or not.