State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Wang Yi is arriving in Nepal for a three-day visit on Friday (March 25).
Wang will be the first high-level Chinese leader to pay a visit to Nepal after Sher Bahadur Deuba assumed the office of the Prime Minister in July last year.
Moreover, Wang is visiting Nepal in less than a month after Nepal’s parliament endorsed the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact, an American grant of USD 500 million. It was widely said that MCC was opposed by the Maoist and CPN (Unified Socialist) leaders close to China, indirectly hinting at China’s unhappiness over the endorsement of the MCC, which was portrayed as part of the Indo-Pacific Strategy of the US government designated to control the influence of China.
Realising the concerns of the northern neighbour, the government, a day after the endorsement of the compact, clarified that Nepal would not allow its territory to be used against its neighbours.
The visiting Chinese FM is expected to seek continuity to Nepal’s present policy towards China even after the MCC comes into implementation. It means no foreign elements will be allowed to conduct any anti-China activity in Nepal.
During his three-day stay in Nepal, the Chinese Foreign Minister will pay courtesy calls on President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).
FM Dr. Khadka and his Chinese counterpart Wang will hold bilateral talks, leading their respective delegations on 26 March.
Wang will also meet former Prime Minister and Chairman of CPN-UML KP Sharma Oli, and former Prime Minister and Chairman of CPN-Maoist Centre Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.
Huge American delegation visiting Nepal
A US delegation consisting of 25 Congressional members is arriving in Nepal.
Media reports have it that it will be the biggest US delegation Nepal is ever welcoming in Kathmandu.
Coincidentally, the US is sending the congressional delegation after the endorsement of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) from the parliament.
Although the date for their arrival has not been fixed yet, they may probably land in Kathmandu by the second week of April.
Surprisingly, the American team is arriving two weeks after the visit of the Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
It is noteworthy to mention here is that China is reportedly cautious about the endorsement of MCC as it has taken the MCC as a ploy to conduct anti-China activities in Nepal. The visits of the Chinese and US officials have obviously proved the sensitivity of geopolitics in Nepal. If the Nepali leaders do not act properly fully abiding by our traditional foreign policy based on non-alignment and Panchasheel, Nepal can turn into a playground for the foreign forces.
After the MCC compact’s passage, it is now apparent that powerful countries have renewed their interest in Nepal.
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