Asia Pacific Exchange and Co-operation Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Asia Pacific Exchange and Co-operation Foundation (APECF) is a Chinese-government
-backed organisation, based in Hong Kong
. It is controversially planning to invest US$3 billion in the small Nepalese
town of Lumbini
, birthplace of the Buddha
, to create a 'Mecca' for Buddhists of all strands.
In June 2011, it was reported in the Chinese media to have signed an agreement with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization
for the project, which will help Lumbini "transcend religion, ideology and race" in its work to rejuvenate the culture and spirit of Buddhism, according to executive vice chairman Xiao Wunan.
The investment is enormous, constituting almost 10 percent of Nepal's gross domestic product. However, neither the Nepalese government nor the local authorities were consulted about the project, they say.
, a fifth-generation member of the Rockefeller family; Jack Rosen
, chairman of the American Jewish Congress
; Leon Charney
, a real estate tycoon and former US presidential adviser; Prachanda
, leader of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and former Prime Minister of Nepal; and Paras
, the former Nepali crown prince whose father's monarchy was overthrown by Prachanda's forces. The executive vice-chairman of the foundation is Xiao Wunan.
Government of the People's Republic of China
All power within the government of the People's Republic of China is divided among three bodies: the People's Republic of China, State Council, and the People's Liberation Army . This article is concerned with the formal structure of the state, its departments and their responsibilities...
-backed organisation, based in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. It is controversially planning to invest US$3 billion in the small Nepalese
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
town of Lumbini
Lumbini
Lumbinī is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupandehi district of Nepal. It is the place where Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama, who as the Buddha Gautama founded the Buddhist tradition. The Buddha lived between roughly 563 and 483 BCE...
, birthplace of the Buddha
Gautama Buddha
Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...
, to create a 'Mecca' for Buddhists of all strands.
In June 2011, it was reported in the Chinese media to have signed an agreement with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization
United Nations Industrial Development Organization
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization , French/Spanish acronym ONUDI, is a specialized agency in the United Nations system, headquartered in Vienna, Austria...
for the project, which will help Lumbini "transcend religion, ideology and race" in its work to rejuvenate the culture and spirit of Buddhism, according to executive vice chairman Xiao Wunan.
The investment is enormous, constituting almost 10 percent of Nepal's gross domestic product. However, neither the Nepalese government nor the local authorities were consulted about the project, they say.
Organisation
The joint chairmen of APECF have varied backgrouds. They include Steven Clark Rockefeller JrSteven C. Rockefeller, Jr.
Steven Clark Rockefeller, Jr. is the only son of Steven Clark Rockefeller and grandson of former United States Vice President Nelson Rockefeller and a fifth generation member of the Rockefeller family.-Education:...
, a fifth-generation member of the Rockefeller family; Jack Rosen
Jack Rosen
Jack Rosen is chairman of the American Jewish Congress. He is chief executive of a New York law firm, Rosen Partners.Rosen has advocated for Jewish causes and received appointments by US presidents from both parties...
, chairman of the American Jewish Congress
American Jewish Congress
The American Jewish Congress describes itself as an association of Jewish Americans organized to defend Jewish interests at home and abroad through public policy advocacy, using diplomacy, legislation, and the courts....
; Leon Charney
Leon Charney
Leon Charney is an American real estate tycoon, author, philanthropist, political pundit, media personality, and Jewish cantor. He lives in Manhattan in New York City, dividing his time between his residences in Tel Aviv and Boca Raton, Florida...
, a real estate tycoon and former US presidential adviser; Prachanda
Prachanda
Puspa Kamal Dahal ; born Chhabilal Dahal on 11 December 1954, also known as Prachanda ]]. Prachanda led CPN as it launched an insurgency on 13 February 1996. In 2008 the ensuing civil war culminated in the overthrow of the Shah dynasty in favor of a communist...
, leader of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and former Prime Minister of Nepal; and Paras
Paras, Crown Prince of Nepal
Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev was the heir-apparent to the throne of Nepal from 2001 until the monarchy was abolished by the Interim Constituent Assembly in 2008 following Constituent Assembly elections.-Early life:...
, the former Nepali crown prince whose father's monarchy was overthrown by Prachanda's forces. The executive vice-chairman of the foundation is Xiao Wunan.