Visiting Maoist-UML delegation meets Chinese officials

BEIJING, June 29: Visiting delegation of UCPN (Maoist) and CPN-UML leaders have held meeting with senior political advisor of People´s Republic of China and Vice-chairman of Chinese People´s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Li Jinhua on Monday in Beijing.



According to a member of Nepali delegation, Li said that China wants to cooperate with Nepal in all fields based on its long-standing policy of ´non-interference´ in Nepal´s internal political affairs. Stating that Beijing wants all her neighboring countries including Nepal to benefit from the development of China, Li courted Nepal´s support on the issue of Tibet during the meeting. [break]



Nepali delegates on the occasion sought China´s support in Nepal´s development endeavors after the successful conclusion of constitution drafting and peace process.

During the meeting, the delegation leader and politburo member of the UML Dharma Nath Prasad Sah expressed desire of both Maoist and UML to develop party-level relations with Communist Party of China (CPC) to further strengthen relations between Nepal and China.



A total 12 leaders of Maoist and the UML are currently in Beijing for an 11-day visit at the invitation of CPC. The delegation of ruling parties will return to Kathmandu after visiting Great Wall, Tiananmen Square and other tourist destinations in Beijing.



The frequency of visits of political leaders to and from China has increased lately with China´s growing political interests in Nepal. China has started inviting leaders of various parties keeping in view the changing power equation in Nepal.



China, which is trying to extend its reach to Madhes, invited the Sah-led delegation after a similar delegation led by then UCPN (Maoist) leader Matrika Prasad Yadav visited China. No other Madhesi leader except Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav has visited China so far.



A separate delegation of Nepali leaders led by UML politburo member Pashupati Chaulagain returned home after visiting China when the joint delegation of Maoist and UML arrived in Beijing. The delegation included Nepali Congress leader Bal Bahadur KC, UML activists Jiwan Ghimire of Biratnagar, Shankar Narayan Shrestha of Tanahu, Bhumeshwor Dhakal of Dhading, and Rabindra Adhikari of Nawalparasi.



The delegation, however, did not have any political meeting while in China.



Meanwhile, a delegation of China Study Center (CSC) returned to Kathmandu on Sunday after visiting China at the invitation of China Association for International Friendly Contact. The delegation led by CSC Chairman Madan Regmi held meetings with Chinese government and non-government officials.

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