Kathmandu, December 2:

The current visit of a Chinese delegation headed by Wang Jiarui, minister and head of the Foreign Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC), is considered an assessment tour.

“He asked more questions than offering any suggestion. This suggests the team will go back with its assessment which could help update Chinese policy towards Nepal,” Nepali Congress (NC) Joint General Secretary Arjun Narsingh KC told this daily. Jiarui and other members of the delegation had earlier talked to NC Acting President Sushil Koirala and others.

“The delegation sought information concerning the CA polls, peace process and consolidation of democracy,” KC, who was with Koirala during the meeting, added.

The delegation also met UML leaders like Jhala Nath Khanal. According to Khanal, the Chinese leader was concerned about how long it would take Nepal to gain political stability.

“Jiarui meant to say that a stable Nepal was not only good for Nepalese people but also for China. The Chinese visitors gave this impression in the course of the meeting. The Chinese side, like India has laid stress on an election,” Khanal said.

Khanal also said that given the questions raised by the delegation, the Chinese side is keen to see an early end to political instability.

Spokesperson at the embassy of China Shan Xiaotong said the visit had a three-fold objective- “improving country to country relations, improving relations with political parties and keeping abreast of current issues.

Jiarui meets leaders

KATHMANDU: The visiting Chinese delegation headed by Wang Jiarui, Minister and head of the Foreign Department of Chinese Communist Party, on Sunday met former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress (NC) leader Sher Bahadur Deuba and Nepal Workers and Peasants Party leader Narayan Man Bijukche. The meetings followed similar sessions with NC and CPN-UML leadership earlier in the day. The Chinese leader is on an assessment visit to Nepal, a statement said. — HNS