Kathmandu, Nepal – A delegation from the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC), led by Vice Minister Sun Haiyan, arrived in Kathmandu on Friday for a four-day visit. The primary aim of this visit is to strengthen party-to-party relations between the CPC and Nepali political parties through a joint consultative conference.

The delegation was invited by the CPN (Maoist Centre), with party vice-chair Pampha Bhusal and secretary Ganesh Shah, along with Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song, receiving the five-member delegation at Kathmandu airport. The delegation arrived in Nepal after visiting several South Asian nations, including a stopover in Bangladesh.

Pampha Bhusal stated, "They will be meeting leaders of various parties. During the visit, both sides will discuss executing various agreements reached with China during the visits of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and KP Oli last year and in 2018." These discussions are expected to cover a wide range of bilateral issues, including economic cooperation, infrastructure development, and cultural exchanges.

The frequency of exchanges between the CPC and Nepali political parties has increased significantly after China lifted its Covid-related restrictions. In 2023 alone, over sixty delegations traveled between the two countries, marking a record number of exchanges in recent history.

The Chinese delegation's visit began with a meeting with Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane at the party's headquarters. Over the next few days, the delegation is scheduled to meet with key Nepali political leaders, including Prime Minister Dahal, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, former Prime Minister KP Oli, former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Purna Bahadur Khadka, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha, among others.

In addition to meetings with top leaders, the delegation will also engage with second-rung leaders from various political parties. A joint consultation conference is planned for January 28 at Hotel Soaltee in Kathmandu, where major political parties and journalists will gather. The CPC has invited ten more leaders from each party to participate in the event, where speakers will have five minutes each to discuss ways to enhance Nepal-China relations and party-to-party cooperation.

The visit underscores the deepening ties between Nepal and China, with both sides keen on exploring new avenues for collaboration. The CPC delegation is set to conclude their visit and return to China on Monday.

China In Nepal