When I saw the book "Mend or End" by Zhou Shengping, the chief of Xinhua's Kathmandu Bureau, in April this year, I had no idea as to the purpose of the book. Soon, I realized it is about Nepal and Nepali politicians. At first, I felt a bit uneasy about that but soon realized that foreign friends can give us insights into our status, presentations, strengths and weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges.

I wanted first to know the author's soul as reflected in the book. He presents himself as a typical Chinese journalist working for a government news agency, echoing the government policies of his homeland. Second, on spending almost a decade of his productive life in Nepal, the journalist has developed a deep love and respect towards Nepal and the people. He calls on concerned Nepali stakeholders, especially politicians, to play constructive roles in improving the situation prevailing in Nepal.

The book is a collection of news articles published mainly by different news outlets. Additionally, Zhou also includes a journal article and some new interviews and opinions in the book. 

Through the careful selection of the topics, the author demonstrates the potentials of the Nepali economy, factors hindering its growth, and the steps necessary to overcome the obstacles. He believes that Nepal can and should utilize the opportunities offered by the fast-growing large economies of neighboring countries and applauds Nepal's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which he believes will lead to better connectivity and investment in infrastructure. 

More than once, the book emphasizes trilateral cooperation among Nepal, China, and India, noting that such cooperation has brought Nepal an opportunity to act as a bridge between the two mega economies. 

From Zhou's interviews with Nepali politicians, we can see that he pushes for cooperation between Nepal and China. He has tried to learn about the Nepali Dream by discussing the concept of the Chinese Dream. However, Zhou realizes the limits of outsiders and quotes a Chinese saying: "Even an upright official can find it difficult to settle a family quarrel," noting that only Nepali policymakers can do the right things to benefit Nepal's national interest. 

Regarding the challenges ahead for Nepal's future development, the book demands national consensus, the unanimous effort of all classes in defining the Nepali Dream to achieve it with joint efforts. He writes, "No country can become rich and powerful just through foreign aid, donations and remittance inflow."

Moreover, important festivals, tourist destinations, religions, and cultures practiced in Nepal are also discussed in the book, suggesting that the improvement in infrastructure and service sectors could boost the tourism sector's development. The book cites how the learning of the Chinese language is helping Nepali businesspeople deal with Chinese customers. He also notes Chinese support to Nepal, especially following the 2015 earthquake.

The author discusses environmental pollution and piled-up garbage in pristine areas and suggests tackling them. He calls on Nepal to create a more business-friendly environment to attract foreign investment in Nepal, creating meaningful employment and a healthy and prosperous society. 

Currently, the book is framed into five chapters. If the writer is to revise the book, I would suggest dividing the papers into three sections: news, interviews, and opinions. Secondly, he should make the text more specific to Nepal. I feel two stories included in this book, meaningful and valuable they are, better be included in some other books: "Immaturity ignites imagination" and "Chinese tourists in South Asia." Finally, the writer may consider updating some other papers.

The additional effort from the writer would help open our eyes. Our policymakers need workable suggestions on achieving a trade balance. I see it possible only if Nepal can make bilateral deals with China and India, with concrete plans of implementation to reach a bilateral symmetry with each of them. Zhou's insights would be highly appreciated on both sides of the Nepal-China border.

I look forward to reading more from Zhou Shengping, an acclaimed journalist, a well-wisher of Nepal, and our good friend. 

Balmukunda Regmi is a professor with Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine and director of Confucius Institute at Tribhuvan University Institute. 

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