A delegation from the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China led by Vice Minister Sun Haiyan arrived in Kathmandu on Friday. The purpose of the visit is said to be to strengthen party-to-party relations through a joint consultative conference with Nepali political leaders.

The CPC delegation was invited by the CPN (Maoist Centre), according to sources. The delegation arrived via Bangladesh after visiting some South Asian nations. Pampha Bhusal, vice-chair of the Maoist Centre, party secretary Ganesh Shah, and Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song received the five-member delegation at the Kathmandu airport.

“They will be meeting leaders of various parties,” Bhusal said. “During the visit, both sides will discuss executing various agreements reached with China during the visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and KP Oli last year and in 2018.”

The frequency of visits between the two sides has increased after China lifted Covid-related restrictions, and according to security officials, over five dozen delegations from each side visited the other in 2023, marking one of the highest numbers of exchanges between the two sides.

The delegation started its four-day visit after meeting with Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane at the party headquarters.

The Chinese delegation will meet Prime Minister Dahal, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, Oli, former prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Purna Bahadur Khadka, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha, among others.

Besides, they will also meet the second-rung leaders of various political parties. During her upcoming visit, leaders of major political parties have been invited for a joint consultation conference on January 28 at Hotel Soaltee, Kathmandu. Mostly second-rung leaders represented in Parliament, and journalists have been invited to the event on Sunday.

The Chinese side, in their communication to political leaders, has called for ten more leaders from each party to the event. Speakers will be given five minutes each to speak on ways to strengthen Nepal-China as well as party-to-party relations.

The CPC delegation will return to China on Monday after wrapping up the four-day Nepal visit.