WEB DESK
China is leaving no stone unturned in trying to bring a political reconciliation between the warring factions of ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) led by PM Oli and rival Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.
In a message to both the factions, China on Monday hoped that they will properly handle their disputes keeping in mind the ‘big picture’ and strive for political stability as a high-level delegation of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) made efforts to bring about a rapprochement between feuding leaders.
Amid the political crisis in Nepal due to premature dissolution of parliament by PM Oli,China rushed a team of officials headed by Vice Minister of the International Department of the CPC, Guo Yezhou to Kathmandu on Sunday after its Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi failed to sort out differences between Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and his rival ‘Prachanda’ despite a series of meetings with the NCP leaders and even Nepal’s President, in an attempt to save the party from an imminent split. As per reports, many political parties including the ruling party in Nepal raised eyebrows on China’s open meddling in Nepal’s politics, however, Beijing on Monday sought to defend Guo’s visit, saying it was aimed at deepening exchanges and cooperation between the CPC and Nepal’s political parties.
In response to a question, whether Guo’s visit was aimed at bringing about a political reconciliation between the two groups within the NCP, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a media briefing in Beijing that China has noted the “developments in Nepal’s political situation”.
Nepal plunged into a political crisis last Sunday after Prime Minister Oli, known for his pro-Beijing leanings, in a surprise move, recommended dissolving the Parliament.
In recent years Beijing has invested heavily in various projects in a bid to firm up its ties with the Himalayan country. Zhao said the CPC has maintained close and friendly exchanges with major political parties in Nepal “which has helped promote the two sides political mutual trust and deepen mutual learning in governance and promoting practical cooperation and consolidating traditional friendship”.
India has termed it as Nepal’s internal matter.