China's soft power diplomacy in Nepal serves as a tangible manifestation of its broader foreign policy goals, aiming not only for a China-dominated Asia but also a Chinese-led world order
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Image Source: Timeline Daily
At the invitation of Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, visited China from March 25 to April 1. During the delegation-level talks, the two sides agreed to sign the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) implementation plan “as soon as possible”. Under Beijing’s billion-dollar megaproject BRI, a “Silk Roadster” platform was launched by the Communist Party of China in Nepal last year. Silk Roadster is a newly launched platform designed to foster practical cooperation and facilitate people-to-people exchanges between China and Southeast and South Asian countries, as outlined in its concept paper. It is suggested that this unique "Silk Roadster" initiative represents a softer approach by Beijing compared to the more conventional hard power projects associated with the BRI.
China has been strategically employing its soft power in Nepal for several compelling reasons. Nepal is sandwiched between the two big Asian powers, India and China, which makes it a crucial player in the regional geopolitics. By leveraging education, tourism and health as tools for “engagement”, China aims to enhance its sphere of influence, strengthen its presence in South Asia and counterbalance India's influence in the region. Kathmandu's geo-strategic location, particularly its proximity to Tibet, holds paramount significance for Beijing's national security interests. Protests or activities by Tibetan exiles in Nepal, perceived as anti-China or supportive of Tibetan independence, could potentially inspire similar sentiments among Tibetans within China. This poses a direct challenge to China's sovereignty, domestic stability and control over ethnic minority regions.
China has been strategically employing its soft power in Nepal for several compelling reasons. Nepal is sandwiched between the two big Asian powers, India and China, which makes it a crucial player in the regional geopolitics.
By cultivating friendly relations with Nepal and deepening the bilateral partnership, China seeks to mitigate security threats, and maintain stability in the region. China's increasing influence in Nepal through soft power tools is also altering the traditional balance of power in the South Asian region. Historically, Nepal has been within India's sphere of influence due to geographical proximity, shared cultures, and historical connections. However, China's strategic investments in health, education, and tourism in Nepal create a counterbalance to India's influence, allowing Beijing to establish a stronger foothold in the region.
Nepal, renowned for its Buddhist heritage and towering peaks such as Mount Everest, stands out as an ideal tourist destination. In 2014, Kathmandu and Beijing signed an agreement to enhance bilateral cooperation in mountaineering and tourism. Subsequently, numerous agreements have been forged in the tourism sector between the two nations. In 2014, a total of 123,804 Chinese nationals travelled to Nepal. However, due to the devastating earthquake in 2015, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Nepal dropped significantly, nearly halving to 64,675 (See Table 1). On December 25, 2015, Nepal unveiled a visa exemption for Chinese tourists, granting them the same privileges as visitors from South Asia, as part of efforts to rejuvenate declining arrivals. The implementation of the "free-visa" scheme commenced in January 2016. To enhance the tourism experience for Chinese visitors in Nepal, tourist guides were equipped with Chinese language training to ensure a seamless and enjoyable journey for Chinese tourists. In 2018, Nepal made a notable effort to attract more Chinese tourists by launching its first interactive tourism website in the Chinese language. Initiated by the Nepal Tourism Board, the country's main tourism promotion body, the customised website, was created to effectively engage with Chinese-speaking travellers. As a result, there was a surge in the number of Chinese tourists, increasing from 104,664 tourists in 2017 to 153,633 tourists in 2018 (see Table 1). However, in the years 2020, 2021, and 2022, there was a dip in tourism due to the COVID-19 pandemic (see Table 1).
|
YEAR |
NUMBER OF CHINESE TOURISTS |
|
2014 |
123805 |
|
2015 |
64675 |
|
2016 |
104005 |
|
2017 |
104664 |
|
2018 |
153633 |
|
2019 |
169543 |
|
2020 |
19257 |
|
2021 |
6198 |
|
2022 |
9599 |
|
2023 |
60876 |
TABLE N0. 1
(Nepal Tourism Statistics, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation)
In 2019, Nepal welcomed a record-breaking 169,543 Chinese tourists (See Table 1). In the same year, President Xi Jinping made a successful state visit to Nepal, during which residents of Kathmandu spontaneously took to the streets to warmly welcome him. This scene left a lasting impression on the Chinese people, leading more of them to take an interest in Nepal, hoping to enjoy its unique snowy landscapes and rich history and culture, noted China’s ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi. On the last day of 2019, the ambassador posted several pictures of herself at various tourist sites in Kathmandu to promote the Visit Nepal Year 2020 campaign. She wrote, “Beautiful Nepal with history, diversity and nature deserves a visit”.
In 2019, Nepal welcomed a record-breaking 169,543 Chinese tourists. In the same year, President Xi Jinping made a successful state visit to Nepal, during which residents of Kathmandu spontaneously took to the streets to warmly welcome him.
By showcasing Nepal's cultural heritage and natural beauty to the global community, China cultivates a positive image of itself as a benevolent neighbour and a global leader in promoting tourism and cultural exchange. In 2023, the tourism industry contributed approximately 6.7 percent to Nepal’s GDP. Increased tourism brings economic benefits to Nepal, and as China becomes a major source of tourists, Nepal's economy grows reliant on this inflow. This economic dependence can give China political leverage to influence Nepalese policies to align with its interests. A notable instance occurred in 2017 when Beijing banned Chinese citizens from traveling to Seoul after the United States announced plans to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system in South Korea. Additionally, cross-strait tourism has often been subject to political manipulation by China and its tourism agencies. As an example, China decreased the number of tourists and students travelling to Taiwan unilaterally when President Tsai Ing-wen assumed office in 2016, and imposed a complete ban on Chinese tourists visiting Taiwan in 2019. Additionally, the expanded sphere of influence in Nepal via tourism helps China to assert its presence in South Asia and compete with India’s dominance, thereby enhancing its strategic footprint in the region.
Education is widely recognised as one of the most impactful means for cultivating and advancing soft power. The influx of students from India's neighbouring countries into China has surged from 6,879 in 2011 to 18,966 in 2016, marking a growth of 176%. In April 2015, China unveiled a scholarship programme offering 1,500 scholarships over five years aimed at fostering the development of skilled human resources in Nepal. In another significant development, Nepal formally joined the BRI in 2017.This affiliation opened up additional opportunities for Nepalese students to avail themselves of Chinese Government Scholarships, including those provided through the Silk Road Programme. By 2019, approximately 6,400 Nepalese students were pursuing their studies in China. In the academic year 2023/2024, 71 Nepalese students received Chinese government scholarships to study at universities in China.
Moreover, Confucius Classrooms, an initiative by the CPC, play a significant role in China's soft power strategy by promoting Chinese language and culture in Nepal. About 1,600 youngsters take compulsory Chinese classes at the Learning Realm International (LRI) School in Kathmandu. Furthermore, China also fully funded the reconstruction of Durbar High School, which was damaged by the Gorkha earthquake in 2015. The reconstruction project, amounting to 850 million rupees, involved the complete rebuilding of the school building. China is utilising cultural diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges to foster closer ties with Nepal. Through initiatives like Confucius Institutes, educational scholarships, and cultural events, China seeks to cultivate positive perceptions of Chinese culture and values among the Nepali population.
In April 2015, when Nepal was struck by a devastating earthquake, leading to widespread destruction and loss of life, China swiftly mobilised aid and assistance to support Nepal in its recovery efforts. The initial Chinese rescue mission to Nepal comprised 62 individuals, including 40 rescuers, 10 medical professionals, and 12 seismic experts, along with six sniffer dogs. Additionally, a separate medical team of 58 members arrived with 13 tons of medical aid. Additionally, China contributed financial assistance for reconstruction efforts and pledged long-term support for Nepal's recovery and rebuilding process.
By funding and building hospitals in Nepal, China demonstrates its commitment to supporting the country's healthcare system and improving access to medical services for Nepalese citizens. For instance, the Civil Service Hospital, constructed in September 2008 as part of China-aid projects, saw further development with a new surgical building and upgrades to existing facilities under a renovation project initiated in September 2018 by China's Guangzhou Construction Engineering Co., Ltd. The COVID-19 pandemic presented opportunities for China to collaborate directly with Kathmandu during Nepal's times of crisis. China has supplied COVID-19 vaccines to Nepal, contributing to the country's vaccination efforts. Chinese President Xi Jinping declared the provision of one million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Nepal as grant assistance. Recently, a 39-bed Chautara Hospital has been reconstructed in Sindhupalchowk with the assistance of 61 million Chinese Yuan. The construction of hospitals fosters goodwill and gratitude among the Nepali population, enhancing China's image as a preferred developmental partner. It also exemplifies China's projection of soft power diplomacy, a strategy aimed at enhancing bilateral relations through healthcare infrastructure development.
By funding and building hospitals in Nepal, China demonstrates its commitment to supporting the country's healthcare system and improving access to medical services for Nepalese citizens.
In conclusion, China no longer has a low profile in the Himalayan country. Whether it's the introduction of a Chinese-language tourism website by the Nepal Tourism Board and opening up of the Confucius Institute at Kathmandu University for promotion of Chinese language and culture or the reconstruction of hospitals devastated by earthquakes, China is employing a range of soft power tools in Kathmandu. These efforts are aimed at achieving strategic objectives, including preventing external influences in Nepal that could undermine Chinese interests. As China promotes its culture and educational opportunities, it builds a narrative of being a benevolent and supportive neighbour, which could challenge India's historical and cultural influence in Nepal. Lastly, China's soft power diplomacy in Nepal serves as a tangible manifestation of its broader foreign policy goals, aiming not only for a China-dominated Asia but also a Chinese-led world order.
Shruti Saxena is an intern with the Strategic Studies Programme at the Observer Research Foundation.
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