Chinese veep urges parties to work together for new statute

HONG KONG, March 19: At a time when political polarization is at its peak, China has urged political parties in Nepal to work together to bring a new constitution.

During a meeting with visiting Foreign Minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey on Thursday, Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao urged political parties to work together to bring a new constitution, saying such a constitution would strengthen ethnic unity in the country.

Pandey, who held Nepal-China foreign ministerial meeting on Wednesday, had on Thursday paid a courtesy call on Vice President Li, who is also a politburo member of the Communist Party of China. The meeting held at the Great Hall was also attended by Chinese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Liu Zhenmin and Vice Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee Chen Fengxiang.

During the 45-minute meeting before he flew to Kunming from Beijing, Pandey thanked China for its support and goodwill to Nepal. “A new statute promulgated through negotiation and consensus between all ethnic groups would pave the way for development in the country,” Nepali Ambassador to China Dr Mahesh Maskey quoted Vice President Li as saying.

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According Maskey, who was present in the meeting, Chinese Vice President Li had laid emphasis on the promulgation of new statute to strengthen national unity. This is the first time China openly spoke about Nepal's ongoing constitution making process.

During the meeting, Li had also thanked Nepal for taking up proactive security arrangements to ensure that there were no untoward incidents on March 10-the day Tibetans in exiles mark as Tibet uprising day.

Pandey also extended invitation to Vice President Li to visit Nepal.  He had recalled his last visit to Nepal some 20 years ago when he had to extend his stay in Nepal for five days due to problems at the Tribhuvan International Airport.