Niranjan Bhattarai (Nepal)

I joined the Chinese language class for the first time at Banaras Hindu University in 1951. The Government of Nepal sent me to Beijing University in 1958 for further studies. Former Prime Minister and distinguished Nepali leader Tanka Prasad Acharya had written a letter introducing me to Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai. Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala who became Prime Minister in May 1959 bid me farewell by making a brief speech at a gathering of students of Banaras Hindu University and wished success in my studies in China. Thus for nearly sixty years, I have been privileged to have actively participated in promoting Nepal-China relations.

Arrival in Beijing

When I arrived in Beijing in November 1958, there was a heavy snowfall with the temperature dropping to minus 20 degree Celsius. It was very cold for me, as I had not experienced such freezing temperature before. But the next day when I was going to my class I saw many teachers and students cleaning the snow in the street with brooms. Seeing teachers and students in simple dress working without feeling the cold encouraged me tremendously and inspired me to move ahead. 

When I was studying Chinese language I felt it was necessary for Nepali Buddhist scholars to study modern China as well as the history of China. Dr. Chen Hansheng, the head of the world history research group of  the Philosophical and Social Sciences Department under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, helped me to study ancient and modern China and discover the biography of revered Budhabhadra. Professors Liu Danien and Ma Hong of the academy guided me to study history of Nepal-China relations. Due to their cooperation, I was able to write my first book on China China and Nepal’s Relations with Her to introduce China to Nepalese people. It was published by Nepal Academy in 1961 on the occasion of signing the Border Treaty between Nepal and China and included in the gifts presented to Chinese leaders on behalf of the Nepal delegations. 

Foreign Students in Beijing University

Foreign Students who had come to study in China from different countries were given special attention for their convenience and opportunities, which were not extended to Chinese students in those days. The teachers and the other officials treated them like their own family members. Once I asked a boarding official whether I had any letter from my home. The official was so kind that he went to the post office himself to find out whether I had received any. The teachers were similarly very kind and always prepared to help us secure good results in our studies. Even the teacher’s family members extended their cooperation for enhancement of our studies on various occasions.

The University organized tours of important places and cultural events to enrich our knowledge of China and Chinese culture.

Tenth Anniversary

I arrived in Beijing on the eve of the tenth anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The government decided to celebrate the anniversary in various ways from construction of ten large official buildings and roads to organizing cultural events. I was among the foreign students who participated in the 10th anniversary parade. I happily joined other foreign students in laying bricks in the construction of the Great Hall of the People; I was invited to participate in the grand reception to celebrate the anniversary after its completion. It was my honor to meet Premier Zhou Enlai as well as the great artist Mei Lanfang at the reception.

Other Activities When Studying in Beijing

I used to invite Nepalese visitors to Beijing and entertain them. Some, like the first table tennis team from Nepal. In 1959, I was happy to take around the Beijing Buddhist delegations led by Mahasthvira Bkikshu Amritanandha. I took them to the White Dagoba constructed by the great Nepali architect Arniko. President Zhao Puchu of the Buddhist Association of China presented a book to the delegation Chao Xiang Liang Tu Jing, a classical book of Chinese iconography.

In 1960 Prime Minister Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala visited China and signed a preparatory agreement to appoint a joint commission of experts of both countries for border inspections and prepare a draft for signing the boundary treaty. I received him at the airport and I was invited to dinner hosted in his honour. I felt special gratitude to him when he gave me some cash to buy books on history of Nepal-China relations. I also had the honor of meeting Premier Zhou Enlai in Nepal at a lunch hosted by the Nepal Council of World Affairs when he paid a return visit to Nepal and signed the Treaty of Peace and Friendship. The Chinese Premier still remembered me from my time as a student in Beijing. I have felt that he continued to give me attention when I was in Beijing working in the embassy.

Return after Studies and Founding Language School 

I returned from Beijing after completion of my two-year studies of modern and ancient Chinese language. After returning to Nepal, I founded the School of International Languages in Kathmandu in 1961 to provide facilities and help Nepali students to have knowledge of the outside world. Chinese language was taught here from the very beginning. As the school grew, many more languages were added. Initially, all the teachers were unpaid volunteers who were employed by foreign organizations in Nepal. At the present time, the school has more then 6,000 students and is incorporated under the national Tribhuwan University as Bishwa Bhasha Campus.

Participation in the Boundary Treaties

I was included as an interpreter in the Nepali delegation to Beijing on the occasion of signing the Boundary Treaty between Nepal and China. Nepal and China sincerely wished to delineate the traditional border between the two countries in the spirit of give and take. Therefore there were no problems during the border negotiations. King Mahendra and President Liu Shaoqi signed the agreement on behalf of their respective governments.  This border has since remained one of peace and friendship.

Assignment in the Embassy

I was appointed First Secretary to the Nepali Embassy in Beijing in 1967. It was the time of “cultural revolution”. The “revolution” had created difficulties for the Chinese population and also the foreign embassies in Beijing with demonstrations against their respective countries. At that time, prompt representation of Nepali government and warm reception of them by the Chinese side averted the undesirable impact of the activities.

In the year 1970, when Nepal’s crown prince was married, Premier Zhou was invited to Nepal. But because of busy schedule he could not go to Nepal, instead accepted an invitation to a banquet hosted by myself in his honour at the Nepali embassy in Beijing. He spent almost four hours in the embassy and that ceremony has been one of the most memorable events in my life.

Second Assignment

I was appointed a second time to the Nepali embassy in Beijing in 1976. Premier Zhou Enlai had passed away in January 1976. When I met my Chinese friends, I shared their grief, as Premier Zhou had been so kind and considerate to me. I have sent my book Nepal and China to the Memorial Hall constructed in his honor.

In my second assignment to Beijing, I witnessed the succession of Chairman Mao’s government and establishment of Deng Xiaoping’s leadership for modernization of China. At this time I met Deputy Premier Deng Xiaoping many times in arrangements for visit to Nepal. I am very happy to note that after the modernization China could join the space race. In 1978 an air agreement was signed for air flights from Nepal to Shanghai.

In Charge of the State Visit of King Birendra

After completion of my tour of duties I returned to Nepal in early 1972. I went again to China with the foreign minister for preparation of the state visit of King Birendra at the invitation of President Dong Biwu in 1973.  I went to China as an in-charge of the programs of the visit. On this occasion Premier Zhou Enlai was leading the Chinese team for official talk and hosted an official dinner in honor of the Nepali guests. I also participated in the arrangement of the visit of King Birendra to Tibet.

My Other Visits to China 

I returned to Beijing in 1982 to inspect the administrative and economic aspects of the Embassy and again later in 2002 on the occasion of unveiling of life size bronze statue of the Nepali Architect Arniko. It was a significant occasion for remembering the long relationship between the two countries to have the great Nepali architect Arniko honored by high-ranking Chinese and Nepali officials who were gathered to attend the ceremony. I also visited long desired Wu Tai Shan and made prayers to Manjushri and also visited the Sharira and Ashoka stupas constructed by Arniko.

Release of Chinese Language Book

My latest visit to Beijing was in 2007 to organize the ceremony to release my book Nepal and China in Chinese language. It was very gratifying to be among the distinguished scholars whom I had known and admired for many years, and to be honored by their presence. On that occasion Chen Haoshu, President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries released this book.

Thus in my humble way I have contributed for promotion of friendship between our two countries. It gives me great satisfaction that the trend line of our relations remained moving upward without any zigzag in between. My fourth book Nepal and China in English is already published and is going to be released soon. Since retirement I have continued to study new developments in China and give advice when asked by the government.

I have written four books; two Nepali, one of them translated into Chinese, one in English and scores of articles in Nepali and English for issues relating to Nepal-China relations. It is my hope and belief that the publications are appreciated by most readers.  

This was the  last manuscript of the author who passed away on August 29, 2010.