KATHMANDU: Nepal’s lead political parties — Nepali Congress and CPN-UML – have tried to assure the visiting high-level Chinese delegation of stability-focused politics in Nepal in the days ahead.

Leaders of both parties in separate discussions with the Chinese delegation headed by Vice Minister of Communist Party of China International Department (CPC) Ai Ping, said that their party had a clear vision of multi-ethnic federalism.

The assurance comes in response to the Chinese concerns expressed implicitly during the volatile last days of the erstwhile CA, when ethnic-federalism supporting political, and ethnic set ups had taken to roads demanding unique identity based federalism— an agenda widely supported by the than lead party UCPN Maoist.

During the meeting held with CPN UML leaders at their party office, senior leaders of the party said that the party is looking forward to draft a progressive constitution by moving ahead in consensus with other political parties and had ruled out opting for political polarization.

Similarly, NC President Sushil Koirala also said that his party has a clear mandate of drafting democratic constitution that would federalize the nation on the basis of multi-ethnicity and other factors.

He said that his party will be leading the constitution drafting process by taking all political forces into confidence in response to the visiting delegations concern on political turmoil and the constitution drafting process, NC leader Sujata Koirala said after participating in the meeting.

During their meeting the Chinese delegation congratulated both parties for their respective success in the CA polls and expressed hope that the upcoming government would provide additional basis for further strengthening bilateral ties between both nations.

They also expressed contentment over the efforts, that they said, are afloat to form consensus government that both parties were vying to form and said that the China has no intentions of interfering in Nepal’s internal affairs.

KATHMANDU: Chinese Vice-Minister for Education Hao Ping is arriving here today on a five-day official visit to Nepal at the invitation of Minister for Education Madhav Poudel.

During his visit, China is expected to announce its support to establish a Polytechnic Institute in Nepal including other projects in education.

Likewise, Nepal government is making requests for increasing the quotas of scholarships for medical students, providing technical skills and for capacity building of Nepali human resources by mobilizing Chinese volunteers.

The Embassy of China, Kathmandu, has expressed willingness to construct libraries, building and physical infrastructure in 10 different Himalayan districts within a month.

KATHMANDU: Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Wu Chuntai today met with former Prime Minister and CPN (UML) Madhav Kumar Nepal at the latter’s residence in Koteshwor.

The two discussed Nepal’s latest political situation, prospects of CA elections to and issues of mutual interest between the two countries, it is learnt.

Leader Nepal said that initiative was underway to shorten the transition period by holding election to the Constituent Assembly (CA) soon and taking political parties, which are against the formation of Chief Justice led government, into confidence.

During the meeting, the Chinese ambassador expressed China’s readiness to support for Nepal’s economic and social development

KATHMANDU: Newly appointed Chinese ambassador to Nepal Wu Chuntai on Monday held discussions with Nepali Congress president Sushil Koirala.

Sources at the Koirala residence, where the meeting was held, informed that the meeting centered on the formation of Interim Electoral Council, China-Nepal relationship and Nepal’s commitment to one-China policy among other.

In response to his queries, Koirala informed Chuntai that political parties were looking forward to hold CA elections by mid-July and added that incumbent Interim Electoral Council was part of their commitment.

He urged the ambassador to provide constructive support from the Chinese government to Nepal while it was moving forward to seek another mandate from the people.

On the occasion, envoy Chuntai reiterated China’s commitment to Nepal’s prosperity and national integrity.

The meeting is part of Chuntai’s introductory meetings with Nepal’s key politicians and officials.

Incumbent Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Houlan is leaving for China before expiring his three-year term.

President Dr Ram Baran Yadav would approve the new name after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs tables the Chinese name.

Ambassador Wu has already served in Turkey, UK and Northern Ireland in London. He has already served as the first secretary of the diplomatic mission in Hong Kong besides in north Asian and American departments of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

KATHMANDU: China has pulled out its incumbent ambassador to Nepal Yang Houlan and proposed to appoint Wu Chuntai in his stead.

Beijing has proposed Chuntai as its new ambassador to Nepal formally with the foreign ministry, a source at the ministry confirmed.

The decision was take a week earlier and Chuntai will reach Kathmandu to assume responsibility as soon as the Ministry endorses Beijing’s agreemo.

Chuntai is a security expert and presently deputy director general for external security affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

KATHMANDU: Chinese ambassador to Nepal, Yang Houlan has asserted that a stable and prosperous Nepal is in the best interest of China and India.

Speaking at the Reporters Club Nepal’s face-to-face program on Friday, Houlan informed that both China and India have been in constant communication over Nepal issues.

“China has more cooperation with India on Nepal affairs. It is good for our three countries”, said Houlan at the program presided by Reporters Club Nepal’s President Rishi Dhamala.

Dispelling reports that China and Indian interests in Nepal were conflicting, envoy Houlan said, “In Nepal we support and trust each other” and added that trilateral cooperation between Nepal, China and India is beneficial for regional stability.

“China and India have been good neighbors and partners in regional and internal affairs,” Houlan said stressing on the mutual bilateral ties between New Delhi and Beijing.

While refuting any Chinese investments in the Southern plains of Nepal that would harm India, as reported by some Indian media, Houlan said that present Chinese development initiatives, including a hospital in Chitwan, is aimed at Nepal’s development.

“China’s involvement in Nepal is limited to support Nepal’s economic and social development and I think Nepal’s economic development is also in the interest of India,” Houlan said.

The Chinese ambassador said that China looked forward to increase communication with India on Nepal to support the latter’s development initiatives.

“Our prime minister during his recent visit to Nepal has said that we support Nepal’s relationship and cooperation with India while respecting Nepal’s sovereignty,” the envoy said.

Referring to journalist’s queries on Free Tibet Movement in Nepal and INGOs behind the movement, the Houlan said, “Some forces are using the Free Tibet Movement to check China’s development and stability.”

Conceding that the Nepal’s government might be facing pressure from these forces to act against China’s stability concerns, envoy Houlan lauded the role of Nepalese government and people in deterring these forces.
“The Nepalese government and people understand our concerns and know how to deal with those forces,” said Houlan adding, “ We have no problem in this regard.”

In a different context, the Chinese ambassador refuted claims that China had a take on the ongoing political confrontation between the Presidency and government in Nepal.
While denying that China favored any of these sides, Houlan said that Nepalese people and Nepal’s political parties are capable of choosing the best option for them.

However, the envoy stressed Nepal should resolve political status quo at the earliest through negotiations and dialogues and shift focus on economic and social development from political disputes.

Terming ongoing political status quo as unfortunate for Nepal’s development, the envoy expressed Beijing’s optimism that the Nepalese people will resolve it effectively by devising their own strategy.

Exemplifying China’s cultural revolution in the 70’s of the erstwhile century, Houlan expressed the belief that Nepal will also move towards development from the present crisis.

Responding to queries on China’s new leadership’s foreign policy, ambassador Houlan said that the new leadership would continue the nation’s non-interference policy in other nation’s internal affairs.

Stating that China will continue its initiative for a prosperous, peaceful and ecologically friendly world, Houlan said Nepal would continue as one of the priorities in the days ahead too.

Speaking on the occasion, Club’s President Rishi Dhamala lauded China’s cooperation in Nepal and the role played by Houlan in fostering bilateral ties between China and Nepal and bridging relationship with India too.