Yogesh Bhattarai's Address in Beijing : We Seek to Achieve Socialism Through a Peaceful Path

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Nayapage

2024-09-11 10:19

Kathmandu – Secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) and Member of the House of Representatives, Yogesh Bhattarai, stated that Nepal is progressing towards socialism through a peaceful path under the guidance of People's Multiparty Democracy (Jabaja). Secretary Bhattarai emphasized that they aim to achieve socialism with strong support from the Nepalese people through peaceful processes, and Nepal is already on that path.

Addressing the 14th World Socialism Forum held in Beijing, organized by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Secretary Bhattarai stated that Jabaja is the creative application of Marxism in Nepal, and they aspire to achieve socialism in its light. "We are moving forward by accepting a socialist-oriented constitution in Nepal, addressing social and economic inequalities, with the collective wisdom of major political parties," he said. "Our party, the Communist Party of Nepal (UML), under the leadership of the late Comrade Madan Bhandari, developed the principle of People's Multiparty Democracy (Jabaja). Guided by Jabaja, we are advancing towards socialism in a peaceful manner unique to Nepal. Jabaja is based on the creative application of Marxism in Nepalese practice and on Nepalese soil. We want to achieve socialism with strong public support through peaceful processes. This is a revolution with a new era's Nepalese model and characteristics."

The 14th World Socialism Forum in Beijing features over 150 participants, including 50 foreign guests such as communist leaders, Marxist intellectuals, university professors, and researchers from 30 countries, along with Chinese leaders, professors, and intellectuals.

In his address, Bhattarai reiterated Nepal's main goals: protecting Nepal’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence, while promoting national dignity and economic prosperity. To achieve these objectives, he affirmed Nepal's commitment to mutual respect for equality, cooperation for mutual benefit, non-alignment, the United Nations Charter, and the values of world peace.

He further stated, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Honorable KP Sharma Oli, we aim to fulfill the national aspiration of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali,’ and we expect the support, cooperation, and solidarity of all our friends.”

"Cooperation among Socialist Countries is Essential"

Secretary Bhattarai emphasized the need for cooperation among socialist countries to save human civilization and the planet. He said, “There are few socialist countries, and not all are fully developed or financially strong. In such a situation, cooperation is beneficial. The main objective of socialism is the shared development of all. Alone, we cannot go far. Hence, cooperation is essential. We must strengthen our solidarity and cooperation for socialism to protect human civilization and the Earth.”

Referring to past criticisms of socialism, Bhattarai explained that it was unfairly accused of neglecting the human element, asserting that there is no alternative to socialism. "Critics of socialism claimed that it categorized people as objects and analyzed society mathematically. Therefore, Marxism must pay special attention to human essence. Socialism cannot ignore the issue of human civilization. It is a fight against exploitation and oppression, as well as addressing the issue of humanity and civilization. These are aspects that socialism needs to address. There is no alternative to socialism."

"Climate Change is the Biggest Global Challenge"

Secretary Bhattarai highlighted that climate change is one of the world's major challenges and emphasized that the global fight against climate change must be fair. He stated, “The major challenge we face today is the impact of climate change. As a country located in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, Nepal is highly vulnerable to the effects of global warming. The melting of glaciers, rising sea levels, increasing natural disasters such as floods and landslides are threatening the Himalayan ecosystem, the Earth, and humanity. Nepal, known for its astonishing natural beauty with nearly 44% forest cover, is recognized worldwide for its green landscape. We believe that the global fight against climate change must be fair, ensuring the right to survival for poor and marginalized people."

"We Want to Learn More from China"

Bhattarai expressed a desire to learn more from China's successful socialist model, saying, "China's socialist model is successful. We want to learn many things from China. I want to thank our Chinese comrades for the great achievements they have made under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and President Xi Jinping."

He noted that global politics is undergoing significant changes, and Nepal's international relations are evolving accordingly. "Nepal is geopolitically situated between the two most populous countries in the world—China and India. China is rapidly advancing towards prosperity. We want to use this opportunity to work for the prosperity and happiness of the Nepalese people."

Bhattarai also recalled Nepal signing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2017, with hopes of prosperity and development, expressing optimism about deriving tangible benefits from the BRI. "Once again, I want to reaffirm our country's and party's long-standing commitment to the One China Policy. Nepal signed the BRI in 2017 with expectations of prosperity and development. We are optimistic that we will receive substantial benefits from the BRI in the coming days."

He concluded by recalling the bilateral visits between former President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari and President Xi Jinping of China, as well as high-level visits between Nepalese Prime Ministers and Chinese leaders.

Full text of the speech

Respected Chairperson,

Distinguished delegates and comrades!

It is my great pleasure and honor to stand here today at World Socialism Forum representing the aspirations of the Nepali people. I’m standing here with the greetings of a country that has long been shaped by the ideas of peace, equality, justice and solidarity.

First of all, I would like to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences for inviting me on behalf of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML).

Nepal, as the resilient nation, has a rich history in struggle and sacrifice. As the global politics has been passing through drastic changes, Nepal’s international relations are changing accordingly. Nepal remains geo-strategically between the first and second populations of the world- China and India. China is speedily moving toward prosperity as the global power. We would like to take this opportunity as to work for prosperity and happiness for our people.

From the days of our anti-feudal movements to establishment of the Federal Democratic Republic and the subsequent peace process, our journey has been one of continuous fight against oppression, inequality, and exploitation. Today, we stand proud as a committed to the values of socialism that prioritize the welfare of Nepali people.

We believe that true development cannot be achieved by leaving behind the most vulnerable among us. Our commitment to socialism is a commitment to ensuring that every citizen, regardless of their caste, gender, or economic status, has the opportunity to live a life of dignity, equality and social justice. At this moment, I would like to recall the bilateral visits of the then President of Nepal Mrs. Bidhya Devi Bhandari and the President of China Xi Jinping a well as Prime Ministers of Nepal and high-level leaders of China. Once again, I would like to express our commitment to One china principal. Not only our party but our country strongly believes on one China principle for very beginning. Nepal has signed on BRI in 2017 with the expectation of prosperity and development of Nepal. We are hopeful that we will get tangible benefit from BRI in coming days.

In today’s world, we are facing similar challenges posed by war, military spending, poverty, migration and climate change. The capitalist forces want war and tension globally. We have seen unnecessary tension in South China Sea, which is purely under Chinese jurisdiction. The case of Palestine, Syria, Ukraine and Middle East is example that capitalist forces are imposing war. Responding these common challenges, we need to work together with commitment and proper policies for respective field. As we have been witnessing that the post-cold-war era is changing in global context and heading towards the multi-polarity. Dynamism of global shift is seen with rise of south which is welcoming and at the same time we need to work with the spirit of global south solidarity.

Dear comrades,

In the past, when socialism was criticized, it was said that it did not pay attention to the human side. Critics of socialism have said that socialism classified people as objects and analyzed society mathematically. That is why Marxism needs to pay special attention to human essence. Socialism cannot ignore the issue of human civilization. Fighting against exploitation and oppression is being talked about, as well as the human side and the issue of human civilization. This is exactly what socialism needs to improve. There is no any alternative of socialism. Food, shelter and clothing are the main needs, but that alone is not enough for human. All human psychology is not only economically driven. Important thing is optimum happiness of the people. Improvement is needed in this area.

Cooperation among socialist countries is must. There are few socialist countries. Not all of them are financially and developmentally complete. Cooperation in such a situation is beneficial. Again, the main objective of socialism is the common development of all. Alone we will not get anywhere. Therefore, cooperation is essential. We have to enhance our solidarity and cooperation for socialism and to Protect the human civilization and earth.

We cannot speak of socialism in Nepal without acknowledging the challenges we face. The legacy of centuries of feudalism, the scars of a decade-long conflict and violence and the pressures of a globalized economy, all pose significant obstacles. Yet, these challenges also present opportunities for innovation, for solidarity, and for building a model of development that is truly people-centered.

The Chinese model of socialism is successful one. We want to learn more from China. I would like to thank Chinese comrades for your great achievements under the leadership of CPC and President Xi.

One of the most pressing challenges we face today is the impact of climate change. As a country situated in the fragile Hind Kush Himalayan region, Nepal is acutely vulnerable to the effects of global warming. The melting of glaciers, rise of sea level and increasing frequency of natural disasters, flood, landslides, threaten to Himalayan diversity, earth and humanity. As Nepal is renowned for its stunning natural beauty often recognized as a ‘green zone’ approximately 44 percent of its land covered by forests. We believe that the global fight against climate change must be rooted in justice and ensuring the right to live poor and marginalized people.

In Nepal we are moving to address the socio-economic inequality accepting socialism-oriented constitution with the collective wisdom of major political parties. Our party CPN (UML) has developed principle of ‘People’s Multi-Party Democracy (PMPD)’ under the leadership of late Comrade Madan Bhandari. Under the guidance of PMPD we are moving towards the path of socialism in Nepali way through peaceful means. People’s Multi-Party Democracy is developed on Nepali practices and constructive experiments of Marxism in Nepali land. We want to achieve socialism through PMPD by peaceful process and strong people support. It’s revolution of Nepali model and characteristics of new era

Our fundamental belief is to enhance the dignity of the nation by safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and promoting economic wellbeing and prosperity of Nepal. To achieve these objectives, we’ll be following the principles of mutual respect for each other’s equality, cooperation for mutual benefit, non-alignment, Charter of United Nations and value of world peace.

Under the leadership the Prime Minister Rt.Hon. KP Sharma Oli to fulfill the national aspiration of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali’ with his mission statement regarding our foreign policy “Amity

with all, and enmity with none”. With this great desire of peace and prosperity of Nepal, we look forward for support, cooperation and solidarity from all of our friends. Once again, I would like to thank all of you for kindly paying your attention to me.

Thank you!