High-Level Chinese Communist Party Delegation Arrives in Kathmandu Amidst Growing Speculation

In a significant development, a 26-member team led by Yuan Jiajun, a member of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party and Party Chief and Secretary of Chongqing City, has arrived in Kathmandu for a three-day visit. The delegation’s arrival comes at a time when the frequency of visits by Chinese Communist Party leaders to Nepal appears to be on the rise.

The high-level delegation, including leader Yuan, was welcomed at Tribhuvan International Airport by Dev Gurung, General Secretary of CPN (Maoist Centre), and Chen Song, the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal.

During their stay in Nepal, leader Yuan and the team will be accommodated at Hotel Dwarikaj in Battisputli, with other members staying at the Marriott Hotel.

This visit follows closely after the establishment of the ‘Silk Roadster’ by the head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Liu Jianchao, in Kathmandu less than a week ago. Furthermore, a delegation led by Zhou Yi, Deputy Director of Foreign Affairs of Chongqing City of the Chinese Communist Party, arrived in Nepal on Thursday.

Interestingly, the top leaders of the Communist Party of Nepal, including Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, KP Sharma Oli, and Madhav Kumar Nepal, are currently out of the country. Their overseas visits coinciding with the high-profile visit of the Chinese Communist Party delegation has raised eyebrows and sparked speculations.

Prime Minister Prachanda, who is also the Chairman of CPN (Maoist Centre), is on an official visit to Italy and is scheduled to return on July 28. Meanwhile, CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli is in Cambodia, and CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal is heading to Indonesia, with both expected to return on July 26 and before the conclusion of the Chinese delegation’s visit.

The delegation led by leader Yuan was initially scheduled to meet Prime Minister Prachanda, Nepali Congress Chairman Sher Bahadur Deuba, UML President Oli, and CPN (Unified Socialist) President Madhav Kumar Nepal. However, with three out of the four top leaders out of the country, only Congress President Deuba remains in Nepal.

During their visit, the Chinese delegation is also planning to meet with the Speaker of the National Assembly Ganesh Prasad Timilsina and Speaker Devraj Ghimire.

Leader Yuan holds close ties with Chinese President and General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, Xi Jinping, and his visit has drawn attention, given China’s recent efforts to increase its influence in Nepal’s internal affairs.

The visiting leader, Yuan, enjoys a close and trusted relationship with the Chinese President and General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, Xi Jinping. He ascended to his current leadership position after replacing the former leader Bo Xilai, who is currently incarcerated following a clash with the Chinese Communist Party’s leadership.

Some have raised suspicions about the timing of the Chinese Communist leaders’ visit, speculating that it may be an attempt to unify Nepal’s communist parties ahead of Prime Minister Prachanda’s upcoming visit to China.