NEW CHINESE AMBASSADOR WANTS COOPERATION ON NEPAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 000855 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/27/2017 TAGS: PREL PTER PINR ELTN CH IN NP SUBJECT: NEW CHINESE AMBASSADOR WANTS COOPERATION ON NEPAL Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zheng Xianglin told the Ambassador April 27 that he wanted to see more cooperation among China, India, and the U.S. to help Nepal's peace process succeed. The People's Republic of China (PRC) and the U.S. had a common interest in Nepal achieving peace, unity among the eight political parties, and economic development. Ambassador Zheng also raised the importance of increased transportation links between Nepal and the PRC. The Ambassador explained U.S. policy on Nepal and encouraged the PRC to support an immediate declaration of the date for a Constituent Assembly election, a Maoist renunciation of violence, and the inclusion of marginalized groups in Nepal's political system. Common Interests in Nepal -------------- ¶2. (C) Newly appointed People's Republic of China Ambassador to Nepal Zheng Xianglin told the Ambassador April 27 that the U.S., India, and the People's Republic of China (PRC) had common interests in Nepal. First, all the countries wished to see Nepal's peace process succeed and the eight parties working together in a successful political system. Second, all three countries had an interest in Nepal's economic development. Zheng mentioned that the railway running through the Tibetan Autonomous Region may be extended to Shigatse, closer to the China-Nepal border, making trade between the two countries easier. U.S. Position on Nepal -------------- ¶3. (C) The Ambassador stressed to Zheng the importance of international cooperation on three main issues in Nepal. First, the Government of Nepal (GON) needed to declare a firm date for the Constituent Assembly election. Many people suspected that it would be held in late November, but no date had yet been decided. Second, the international community needed to hold the Maoists accountable for their actions and press them to give up violence and intimidation in the run-up to the election. Finally, the GON needed to seriously engage the marginalized groups that threatened to fracture Nepal along regional or ethnic lines. Zheng recognized the importance of all of these issues, and added that all were a potential source of instability in Nepal. Zheng wondered about the future of the King and predicted a hasty demise for the monarchy; the Ambassador concurred. Future Cooperation -------------- ¶4. (C) Ambassador Zheng expressed a desire to work closely with the U.S. and India on maintaining stability in Nepal and the region. The Ambassador explained that nothing happened in Nepal without India's approval, and Zheng agreed. Comment -------------- ¶5. (C) Zheng Xianglin is a smooth, professional diplomat (his previous posting was as Deputy Chief of Mission in Tokyo). We welcome his desire to continue the PRC's existing cooperation with the U.S. and other international actors in Nepal. The more unified the international community can be, the more likely it becomes that the groundwork can be laid for a successful Constituent Assembly. The United States and the PRC do have many similar interests in Nepal, and we intend to take full advantage of those to advance the goal of a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic Nepal. MORIARTY