Chinese team in Nepal for talks to resolve political impasse

KATHMANDU - A Chinese delegation, led by a senior leader of the Communist Party of China, He Yong, is in Nepal holding discussions on the current political situation in the Himalayan state.

He Yong is the Vice-Premier and Secretary at the Secretariat of the 17th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

The 21-member delegation comprising senior Chinese leaders and officials will hold talks with Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav, caretaker Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and top leaders of UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and other political parties.

“This visit by Chinese delegation is the result of an invitation by the political parties of Nepal. This visit shall further strengthen the relations between political groups in Nepal and Communist Party of China,” said Prakash Man Singh, a Nepali Congress leader.

The political turmoil has been brought on by the failure to select a new prime minister and a new government since the resignation of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal two months ago.

He Yong’s visit is crucial, as a fresh audiotape scandal involving China has further complicated the ongoing prime ministerial elections in Nepal that have so far remained fruitless.

This is the highest-level Chinese delegation visiting Nepal since the peace process began in the landlocked Himalayan nation. (ANI)