Chinese envoy Yanqi meets Prez Bhandari amid NCP crisis
KATHMANDU: Ambassador of People's Republic of China to Nepal Hou Yanqi has called on President Bidya Devi Bhandari following the dissolution of House of Representatives - a decision that led to the formal splitting up of the largest party in Nepal.
Yanqi paid a visit to President Bhandari on Tuesday evening for what the Office of the President claims was a pre-scheduled regular meeting.
The Chinese envoy is known to be active during times of crisis in Nepali politics, especially those concerning the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP). Apparently, China had expressed its concern regarding the situation and forwarded its wish that the Communist party remain united despite all adversity.
Yanqi had in the past - first in May and next around November - expedited meetings with top leaders of the party, including Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and his nemesis co-chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal, as reports of heightening disputes and a possible split began to emerge.
On Tuesday, as an 'aftermath' of events following the house dissolution, the ruling NCP cleaved into two - one led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who had recommend the house dissolution; and the other led by Dahal and senior leader Madhav Nepal, who have been protesting the same. The split, however, is yet to be recognised by the Election Commission.
Yanqi's visit to the President on the day the party split into two, as such, is being looked at with curiosity.