Nepal-China Border Demarcation

Token of Friendship

   – Buddhi Narayan Shrestha 

Background:           

Nepal and China have a common border of 1,414.88 kilometer presently. It runs west to east from Zanskar range passing through various ranges such as Gurans Himal, Byasrishi, Nalakankar, Chandi, Gorakh, Kanti, Gautam, Mustang, Peri, Langtang, Phurbichyachu, Rolwaling, Mahalangur, Chamlan, Umbak and Janak Himal ranges. Boundary business between the two countries starting from the boundary delimitation agreement to boundary treaty, demarcation of pillars, preparation of strip-maps and signing on the boundary protocol have been completed within a short span of time. Timely and successfully completed Sino-Nepal boundary business is considered as the symbol of friendship in the history of Nepal.            

Nepal and Tibetan region of China are neighbours since time immemorial. If we have a look on the history, Nepal’s contact with Tibet proper began in the seventh century. Economic, social and cultural contacts have been started from that period, though there were some hostilities between Nepal and Tibet. Some of these cases were below standard of the Nepalese coins circulated in Tibetan markets, dissatisfaction of Nepal’s trade interest to Tibet, ill-treatment to the Nepalese traders stationed at Lhasa, adulterated salt exported to Nepal by Tibet etc.  

Historic Border Treaties:           

In the past history of some centuries, there were some confrontations between two countries especially in the economic and trade affairs. With this context, there were border conflicts in some trade and transit points. But agreement and treaties were made time to time to settle those conflicts amicably. As a result, Khasa Treaty (September 1775) was performed to maintain the borderline in its previous position. Kerung Treaty (2 June 1789) was signed to retard Nepal back from the invaded Tibetan land to its former borderline, Treaty of Betrawoti (5 October 1792) was to prevent an unprovoked dispute with the intention of possessing the territories of the other, and Treaty of Thapathali (24 March 1856) was to restore Taglakhar, Chewur Gumba, Kerong, Jhunga, Kuti and Dhakling by Tibet and to withdraw all the Nepalese troops that may be on this side of the Bhairab Langur range.            

After the Treaty of Thapathali also named as Nepal-Tibet Treaty of Peace-1856, Nepal had no conflicts and disputes with Tibet. Since then, customary borderline was maintained and economic, social and cultural relations were developed smoothly. China always wished to see Nepal as a prosperous neighbour and friendly nation. As a consequence, diplomatic relation between Nepal and China was established in 1955 and also there was an agreement on trade and cross-border transit in 1956. Sino-Nepalese Treaty of Peace and Friendship was signed in 28 April 1960 to promote the friendship on the basis of Panchasheel and Nepal treated the Tibetan affair as an internal matter of China and has consistently supported the policy of one China. 

Developing Border Agreement and Treaty:           

To develop relation and friendship furthermore between the two countries, Sino-Nepal Boundary Agreement (21 March 1960) was signed by two Prime-Ministers, Bishweshwor Prasad Koirala and Chou En-Lai. The main objective of this agreement was to respect the existing traditional customary boundaryline and to delineate and demarcate it scientifically. With the effect of this agreement, Boundary Treaty (5 October 1961) was made between two nations and it was signed by two heads of the states, His Majesty the King of Nepal Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Deva and Chairman of the People’s Republic of China Liu Shao-Chi. It was regarded as a symbol to consolidate as a boundary of peace and friendship towards strengthening peace in Asia and the world. 

Boundary Delimitation:           

The mandate of the treaty was to conduct necessary on the spot investigations and surveys and made certain adjustments in accordance with the principles of equality, mutual benefit, friendship and mutual accommodation. Three sessions of the Joint Boundary Committee were held in Beijing and Kathmandu to delineate the boundary in detail from one point to the other in various sectors and segments of the boundaryline, before formally signing on the treaty.            

In connection to execute the treaty, boundary delineation was made on the basis of existing traditional customary line with the technical principles of determining the water-parting line to connect snow-capped high altitude mountain peaks, passing and crossing through mountain passes and spurs, saddles and cols, rivers and rivulets, pastureland and river basin or valleys. The most important aspect adopted was to maintain certain adjustments in accordance with the principles of mutual accommodation on trans-frontier cultivation of lands and trans-frontier pasturing by the inhabitants of certain border areas. After the transference of the areas to the other party, be definitely considered citizens of the country to which the area belong. Any inhabitants of these areas who do not wish to become citizen of the country to which the area belong may retain their previous nationality by making declaration to that effect within one year of the enforcement of the agreement. Concrete rules were laid down regarding choice of nationality, the legitimate rights of those who decide to retain their previous nationality and protection and disposal of their property.            

After the signing ceremony of the Boundary Treaty, editorial of the People’s Daily (Peking 13 October 1961) wrote it as an unparalleled enthusiasm of the Chinese people with the Nepalese to celebrate the birth of this boundary of peace and friendship between China and Nepal. It was also expressed sincere gratitude to the Nepalese friends who have contributed to the creation of this boundary for the sake of the future generation of the Chinese and Nepalese people. 

Boundary Demarcation:           

To implement the boundary treaty, the most important work was to demarcate the boundary line, to establish and construct the main boundary pillars and markers and also the erection of reference pillars physically on both the sides of the frontier. During the demarcation, boundary delineation was followed as mentioned in the treaty of 5 October 1961. However, some adjustments were made through friendly consultation in such sectors where the boundary lines as shown in the maps of the two sides did not coincide and where divergence occurred as to the appraisal of the conditions under which jurisdiction was actually exercised.            

In the context of the boundary demarcation, some of the maps produced by both the sides were not coincided in 35 places on the Sino-Nepal borderline. But it was settled forever in accordance with the principles of equality, mutual benefit, friendship and mutual accommodation. Besides, it was adopted by both the parties; the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence and in a spirit of fairness, reasonableness, mutual understanding and most importantly respecting each other as Nepal and China have the equal rights and status in the international spheres.  

Sagarmatha was claimed by China:           

In connection to the boundary delineation, China had claimed that Sagarmatha (Chomolungma) belonged to her, while Prime-Minister B.P. Koirala visited Beijing on 21 March 1960. But Koirala refused to entertain the claim. During the discussion, Chinese side mentioned that Everest is the British name and Chomolungma is the Tibetan name since long. These names are written on the maps published by the respective countries. But there is no word for it in the Nepalese language. In reply, Nepal side responded that Sagarmatha is its Nepalese name. But the Chinese thought it was of recently named. In counter response, Nepal briefed that the emerald Nepalese historian Babu Ram Aacharya named it colloquially as Sagarmatha in 1938 after the research and investigation, though we have not yet published the map with our own language and script. Eventually, China was not satisfied one hundred percent with all these answers and they proposed to rename the mountain as “Friendship Peak.” But Nepal did not agree on it. Finally it was agreed to name as Sagarmatha in Nepal and Chomolungma in China, after the cordial discussions.            

Regarding the question of Sagarmatha, two parties exchanged the maps. The delineation on the maps of the two countries was different. The Chinese maps which were drawn on the basis of Chinese historical situation show the mountain within Chinese territory, while the Nepalese maps drawn on its historical facts show the mountain on the boundary line between two countries. Finally Chinese side agreed to follow the Nepalese delineation, which shows the mountain on the boundary line, with the northern half belonging to China and the southern half belonging to Nepal, respecting the water-parting line.            

As a result, the dispute of Sagarmatha was settled and ended while the visiting Prime Minister Chou En-Lai made a statement in Kathmandu that “Sagarmatha belongs to Nepal.” This statement was made in a press conference at Singha Darbar Gallery Hall on 28 April 1960 at 10.30 P.M. And it proved as an action of the principles of mutual accommodation and real friendship with mutual understanding of the degree of sensitivity and gravity of the problems.            

There may be an underlying curiosity that how Sagarmatha belongs to Nepal and why the world has recognized that Sagarmatha lies in Nepal, whereas the northern half of the mountain belongs to China! The simple answer is that the northern face of Sagarmatha on the Chinese frontier has very steep slope and it is very difficult to stand the mountaineer on the border ridge, whereas the southern face into the Nepalese frontier has less steep. The most important geographical fact is that there is a small sloping terrace having 6 by 7-ft. on the Nepalese side just south of the water-parting borderline and this is the highest portion of the mountain. Those who accent on the top of Sagarmatha also from the northern (Chinese frontier) route, they must step on to the Nepalese sloping terraced area to conquer the summit of Sagarmatha. Until and unless the expeditioners climbing from northern face step on to the Nepalese side i.e. the highest part, they are not regarded as the conqueror of Sagarmatha. To mount the victory flag on the summit and even to put off the expeditioners’ bag and to take the pictures as the conqueror, the mountaineers must have to stay into the Nepalese frontier. With all these facts Sagarmatha belongs to Nepal and it is recognized by the world. 

Nepal-India-China Tri-junction Points, yet to be Fixed:

Whatever and however the claim and counter claims made during the boundary demarcation by both the sides, all these disputes and dialogues were settled down in a peaceful and friendly manner and all the boundary businesses were completed successfully within a period of less than three years. The total length of the boundary line demarcated so far is 1,414.88 km and the main boundary pillars/markers erected along the boundaryline are numbered as 1 to 79 in serial order from west to east, with so many references pillars on both the sides. But the tri-junction points (zero serial numbers) on both the western and eastern ends of the borderline have not yet been fixed, where Nepalese, Chinese and Indian territories meet. This is due to the fact of the unpresence of the Indian representative during boundary demarcation, though Nepal had intimated and invited formally to India But there was no response from India, as it says.

Regarding the tri-junction of the western end, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zeng Xu Yong told in a program organized by the Reporter’s Club that Lipulek was regarded as the tri-junction boundary point among Nepal, India and China by which Kalapani lies in the Nepalese territory as the boundary agreement between Nepal and China was signed three and half decades ago. However, old documents were ignored at that time which depict the Nepalese border up to Limpiyadhura, the origin of the river Mahakali (Kantipur Daily, 3 September 1999). With all these facts, it is sure that the length of Nepal-China borderline will be further extended and its final total length will be nearabout 1,464 km, after the finalization of the tri-junction points at Limpiyadhura and Jhinsang Peak. But nobody knows even the approximate period of the finalization of these triple-points, because it needs the consent of India indeed, as an inevitable fact.  

Boundary Protocols:           

After the completion of the joint boundary demarcation physically on the ground, Boundary Protocol was signed on 20 January 1963 by Chinese Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister ChenYi and Vice-Chairman of the Nepalese Council of Ministers and Foreign Minister Dr. Tulasi Giri. After the elapse of fifteen years, joint inspection of the boundary line was made with the repair, maintenance and construction of the damaged pillars. In the same way Second Boundary Protocal was signed on 20 November 1979 by the Nepalese Foreign Minister K.B. Shahi and the Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Huang Hua. Nextly, Third Protocol was signed on 6 December 1988 by the respective Foreign Ministers, Shailendra Kumar Upadhyaya from Nepal and Qian Qichen from Chinese side to renew the last protocol, after the completion of the joint inspection and maintenance of the borderline. These are the images of the true friendship between Nepal and China. 

Concluding Remarks:           

Now it is high time to make the fourth protocol, because twelve years have been elapsed since the third protocol was signed. There might have been damaged and disappeared some of the main boundary pillars and reference pillars or markers due to landslide, flood and snow. So it needs to formulate a joint inspection committee to erect the missing pillars and repair the damaged ones. Nepal-China friendship will be further consolidated as one of the good neighbours with the inspection and maintenance of Nepal-China borderline at an interval of a decade. This is the common interest of both the nations. Nextly, it is expected that Nepal will execute positively to open two more trade routes at Kimathanka ( Dingri ) and Mustang ( Liji ) in a very near future as already agreed by both the nations. It will help to promote not only the trade and economic activities but also to strengthen furthermore the cordial friendship between the people of Nepal and China. 

Reference:

1. Grishma Bahadur Devakota, Nepalko Rajniti Darpan, Upendra B  Devakota Publisher, Kathmandu-1983.

2.      Hiranya Lal Shrestha, Nepal Parichaya, MK Publishers, Kathmandu-2000.

3.      Buddhi Narayan Shrestha, Nepalko Simana (Boundary of Nepal), Bhumichitra Company, Kathmandu-2000.

4.      A.S. Bhasin, Nepal’s Relation with India and China 1947-1992.