Tanka Prasad Karki, Ambassador of Nepal to China (SHI GANG)

Since 1955, our relations have been ever growing to new heights in terms of maturity and content, featuring a comprehensive partnership of cooperation centering on everlasting friendship. Nepal and China enjoy excellent bilateral relations in all fields, such as economic cooperation, trade and investment and culture.

On the economic side, China is one of Nepal's reliable development partners. China's cooperation with Nepal started as early as the 1950s. Nepal has been cooperating with China in various areas including industrial infrastructure, transportation and human resources development. Several development projects have been completed. Some are in the pipeline. And negotiations for new projects are ongoing. The importance of the cooperation has been more significant because of the historic transition Nepal is experiencing.

Currently, the only big-scale border trading point is Tatopani. We hope the Qinghai-Tibet railway extends further south as early as possible. This will bring about positive impacts on the quality of lives of people in the border areas of both countries. Further, enhanced transportation across the Nepal and China border will multiply opportunities for bilateral trade, and contribute to recovering an existing trade imbalance. Though the bilateral trade has surged ahead satisfactorily over the years, there exists a huge trade deficit in China's favor.

It is the priority of the Government of Nepal to promote transit economic activities in its territory. There is immense potential for expanding trade between China and South Asian countries. As the regional process moves ahead positively, including China's joining of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) as an observer in the last few years, opportunities to forge greater collaboration between China and South Asian nations have increased.

Could you explain the long-time and close cultural ties between our two countries?

On the cultural side, I feel moved to refer to our time-tested relationship as age-old. The introduction of Buddhism to China marked the beginning of historical cultural exchanges between the two countries. Revered monk Buddhabhadra, who arrived in Qingdao (Shandong Province) in 409, gave continuity to that journey. The marriage of a Nepalese princess Bhrikuti to Tibetan King Songtsan Gampo in the 7th century and the construction of landmark architecture in Tibet, Beijing and Wutai Mountain by Nepali architect Araniko in the 13th century symbolize the glory of our relationship.

Buddhism has always been an inextricable side to Nepal-China relations for a long time. Nepal, as the birthplace of Shakyamuni Buddha, has a sentimental attachment to all believers and those interested in Buddhism. Along with Mecca and Jerusalem, Lumbini is one of the three most sacred places in the world. Our cultural links based on Buddhism have created better understanding and trust between the peoples of both countries. We consider this aspect an important part of cultural diplomacy in further developing Nepal-China relations.

Nepal has launched the national tourism campaign "Nepal Tourism Year 2011." What measures is Nepal taking to attract international tourists?

Nepal is an exotic destination for tourists. Its charming natural beauty lures thousands of travelers to visit every year. It is one of the wonderlands on Earth, and seeing it must not be missed in one's lifetime. Situated in South Asia with diverse climatic zones and landscapes, Nepal is not only famous for natural beauty, but also as home to an ancient civilization and exotic cultures. Nepal, where more than 60 ethnicities and people speaking more than 100 languages live in harmony, boasts a mosaic of cultural diversity.

Nepal is the first country in South Asia the Chinese Government approved as an outbound tourist destination for Chinese. Every year thousands of Chinese visit Nepal for pleasure as well as for religious purposes. We are hoping to welcome 100,000 Chinese visitors in 2011, the year we are celebrating Nepal Tourism Year.

I would certainly recommend some paradises of the "wonderland beyond fairytale." Mt. Everest, in the north, to panoramic reflection of Fishtail Mountain in Fewa Lake in Pokhara valley in the middle, breathtaking lakes in the west to rare species of flora and fauna in the south. In my view, a tour package including, but not limited to, Kathmandu, Pokhara and Lumbini, and well connected up to Lhasa, forms a perfect triangle to explore the entirety of our natural and cultural attractions.