08-11-2006, 08:19 PM
what give China this supreme sense of entitlement to expect india to jump to its request to start trade to make their railway project profitable? They probably figure that their lapdogs, the indian commies, will put pressure on govt to expedite the trade process.
Also, does this mean that China has lost hopes on the Ghadar port that they think Kolkatta is a better bet? As they say in Tamil, better to fall at the feet of the opponent than the feet of the witness!
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->China wants India to hasten boom at Nathu LaÂ
Shobori Ganguli | Lhasa
With Tibet riding the crest of economic reforms and development, the Chinese Government is pulling out all stops to facilitate investment and smoothen tourist traffic into this region. After the Qinghai-Tibet railway and the opening of the Nathu La pass last month, therefore, Beijing is now looking to relax a provision as per which travellers to Tibet must seek special permits from the Chinese Government.
"As part of our decision to open up to the outside world we are planning to abolish this permit," said Mr Hao Peng, Deputy Chairman of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) here on Thursday. Aware that despite the train and road routes into the Tibetan heartland special permits are a severe deterrent for investors and tourists alike, Beijing is now coming around to the view that such roadblocks ought to be removed if its opening up policy is to see the clear light of day.
On another front, however, Chinese officials are visibly restive with India's reluctance to allow unbridled trade across the recently inaugurated pass. This impatience was in clear display during Mr Hao's interaction with the Indian media delegation here. As in-charge of TAR's economic revival, Mr Hao appeared particularly distressed with India's go-slow attitude on the trade of unlimited items.
Pointing to the "historic significance" of the opening of Nathu La, the Deputy Chairman expressed regret that India has imposed restrictions on the goods to be traded according to which only 29 items can be imported from India while only 17 can be exported from China. "India does not even allow Chinese traders to stay overnight at the pass," Mr Hao complained.
The official's disappointment is understandable as he has been mandated with the task of boosting Tibet's tourism-dependent economy which is currently rated as one of the weakest links vis-Ã -vis China's national figures.
With an eye on the 1000-km trade corridor from Lhasa to Kolkata port, China is very optimistic about the economic potential of the South Asian market and is aware that the Nathu La pass is an immense gateway to that market. Therefore, India's reluctance to let down its guard on that front is an obvious irritant for officials like Mr Hao.
On its part, India cannot overlook the veil of suspicion that has rested on this border with China since 1962. With national security concerns far outweighing economic considerations, euphoric enthusiasm is predictably missing on the Indian side of the border.
As for China, "We welcome all goods as long as they do not violate the law," said Mr Hao. Disappointed with the current volume of traffic, the official pointed out that since the opening of the pass, border trade has been a measly US$ 15,000, far below the expected potential of this route. However, given the reservations of the Indian security forces, it will be a while before border trade assumes the speed China ideally desires.
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Also, does this mean that China has lost hopes on the Ghadar port that they think Kolkatta is a better bet? As they say in Tamil, better to fall at the feet of the opponent than the feet of the witness!
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->China wants India to hasten boom at Nathu LaÂ
Shobori Ganguli | Lhasa
With Tibet riding the crest of economic reforms and development, the Chinese Government is pulling out all stops to facilitate investment and smoothen tourist traffic into this region. After the Qinghai-Tibet railway and the opening of the Nathu La pass last month, therefore, Beijing is now looking to relax a provision as per which travellers to Tibet must seek special permits from the Chinese Government.
"As part of our decision to open up to the outside world we are planning to abolish this permit," said Mr Hao Peng, Deputy Chairman of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) here on Thursday. Aware that despite the train and road routes into the Tibetan heartland special permits are a severe deterrent for investors and tourists alike, Beijing is now coming around to the view that such roadblocks ought to be removed if its opening up policy is to see the clear light of day.
On another front, however, Chinese officials are visibly restive with India's reluctance to allow unbridled trade across the recently inaugurated pass. This impatience was in clear display during Mr Hao's interaction with the Indian media delegation here. As in-charge of TAR's economic revival, Mr Hao appeared particularly distressed with India's go-slow attitude on the trade of unlimited items.
Pointing to the "historic significance" of the opening of Nathu La, the Deputy Chairman expressed regret that India has imposed restrictions on the goods to be traded according to which only 29 items can be imported from India while only 17 can be exported from China. "India does not even allow Chinese traders to stay overnight at the pass," Mr Hao complained.
The official's disappointment is understandable as he has been mandated with the task of boosting Tibet's tourism-dependent economy which is currently rated as one of the weakest links vis-Ã -vis China's national figures.
With an eye on the 1000-km trade corridor from Lhasa to Kolkata port, China is very optimistic about the economic potential of the South Asian market and is aware that the Nathu La pass is an immense gateway to that market. Therefore, India's reluctance to let down its guard on that front is an obvious irritant for officials like Mr Hao.
On its part, India cannot overlook the veil of suspicion that has rested on this border with China since 1962. With national security concerns far outweighing economic considerations, euphoric enthusiasm is predictably missing on the Indian side of the border.
As for China, "We welcome all goods as long as they do not violate the law," said Mr Hao. Disappointed with the current volume of traffic, the official pointed out that since the opening of the pass, border trade has been a measly US$ 15,000, far below the expected potential of this route. However, given the reservations of the Indian security forces, it will be a while before border trade assumes the speed China ideally desires.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->