{"id":3691,"date":"2021-05-13T18:48:45","date_gmt":"2021-05-13T13:03:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nepallivetoday.com\/?p=3691"},"modified":"2021-05-14T15:37:40","modified_gmt":"2021-05-14T09:52:40","slug":"civil-society-leaders-urge-china-to-help-nepal-whats-in-the-appeal-why-it-matters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nepallivetoday.com\/2021\/05\/13\/civil-society-leaders-urge-china-to-help-nepal-whats-in-the-appeal-why-it-matters\/","title":{"rendered":"Civil society leaders urge China to help Nepal: What\u2019s in the appeal? Why it matters?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Kathmandu<\/strong>: At a time when the government is said to be tilting toward the southern neighbor and facing the accusation of not doing much to bring in vaccines and life-saving oxygen from China, a group of civil society leaders has urged China–the northern neighbor–to support Nepal with additional vaccines, as the country has literally failed to provide treatment to rising number of Covid patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is in the appeal?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signed by a total of 83 civil society leaders and activists, the appeal presents the grim picture of Nepal\u2019s health system and requests China \u2018to extend…whole-hearted assistance to urgently respond to Nepal\u2019s grave health and humanitarian situation\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe [83 leaders and activists] would like to appeal to the Chinese government to support Nepal with additional vaccines so as to curb unnecessary loss of human life as a result of lack of access to vaccines,\u201d reads the appeal to China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhile diplomatic relations between Nepal and People\u2019s Republic of China date back to 1955, human relationships have lasted much longer and continue to be strong. It is during these unprecedented times, on behalf of the citizens of Nepal, we would like to appeal–once again–to the government and people of the People\u2019s Republic of China to extend your whole-hearted assistance to urgently respond to Nepal\u2019s grave health and humanitarian situation,\u201d the appeal reads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why does it matter?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The appeal from the civil society group came at a time when the KP Oli government is being criticized for not initiating diplomatic dialogue with neighboring countries to save lives of people. Media report on Thursday <\/a>revealed that Health Minister Hridayesh Tripathi is reluctant to bring vaccines from China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Besides, the government has not initiated any meaningful dialogue with China to bring other life saving health equipment despite the reality that China is one of the largest exporters of health equipment across the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This call signifies that the civil society is coming forward to save the lives of Nepali people and also indirectly exert pressure on the government to maintain delicate balance in terms of foreign policy, an analyst told Nepal Live Today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The appeal from the civil society group came at a time when the KP Oli government is being criticized for not initiating diplomatic dialogue with neighboring countries to save lives of people.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Will China respond?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

K P Oli is believed to be an instrument in deepening Nepal\u2019s engagement with China in recent times. Of late, analysts argue, his relationship with China has deteriorated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is blamed that the Oli government has misused Nepal\u2019s <\/a>foreign <\/a>policy<\/a> to gain and sustain his power and not for the people. Former Chief Secretary and Ambassador of Nepal to China Leela  Mani Paudyal sees the government\u2019s reluctance to have an open and transparent dialogue with China as a major problem to secure assistance from China. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Nothing is important than people's life. Vaccine is the only solution & China is capable to supply at present. I hope the wisdom prevails to the people in the power over all kinds of arguments for holding on! I wish the news proves wrong! @PradeepgyawaliK<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/wE0KFfPlK7<\/a><\/p>— Leela Mani Paudyal (@paudyallm) May 13, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote>