Just as a Chinese delegation is in Kathmandu to “assess” the political situation in Nepal after KP Sharma Oli government’s move of dissolving the House of Representatives, which resulted in the split of the Nepal Communist Party, Beijing said on Monday that it hopes relevant parties can properly manage internal differences.

“We noticed the latest political developments in Nepal,” said Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, in Beijing during a regular press briefing. “As the country's friend and close neighbour, we hope relevant parties in Nepal can take into account the national interests and the big picture, properly manage internal differences and commit themselves to political stability and national development.”

A week after Oli dissolved the House of Representatives, a Chinese delegation, led by Guo Yezhou, a vice-minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC), arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday.

Read: With stability refrain, Chinese delegation explores unity formula for Nepal Communist Party

The Chinese team has been holding a series of meetings since its arrival. After meeting with President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister Oli, Guo and his team held talks with Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhala Nath Khanal, all former prime ministers and now leaders of the other faction of the Nepal Communist Party.

Responding to a query on the purpose of the visit, Zhao said, “China and Nepal are good neighbors, good friends and good partners. For a long time, the Communist Party of China has maintained close and friendly exchanges with the major political parties in Nepal, which has played a positive role in enhancing political mutual trust, deepening mutual learning of state governance, promoting cooperation, and consolidating traditional friendship.”

“By paying this visit, the International Department of the CPC Central Committee wishes to exchange views with the Nepali side on issues of mutual interest, such as epidemic prevention and control, state governance, and cooperation and development, and strengthen exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and Nepalese political parties,” said Zhao. “The Communist Party of China adheres to the four principles guiding inter-party relations, namely, ‘independence, complete equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs’, and stands ready to work with the political parties of Nepal to promote the continuous development of the China-Nepal strategic cooperative partnership featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity for the benefit of the two countries and the two peoples.”