Nepal high on China's foreign policy agenda: experts

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi's official visit to Nepal beginning Monday shows that Nepal is high on China's foreign policy agenda and reflects that Beijing attaches great importance to its relation with Kathmandu, said foreign policy experts and government officials on Sunday.

Yang's two-day visit will focus on current political situation in Nepal, investments in some development projects and China's security concerns, they said.

Yang will be the first high-level Chinese official to visit Nepal after the leadership change in March in China and the first top foreign dignitary to visit Nepal after the formation of an interim election government led by Khil Raj Regmi for holding new Constituent Assembly polls.

"Sending a high-level delegation to Nepal shows that China puts Nepal on top of its list of foreign policy," Tanka Karki, a former Nepalese ambassador to China, told Xinhua.

He said along with contemporary political situation, upcoming polls, the economic and social agenda will be figured out during Yang's visit to Nepal. "China wants to see a prosperous and stable country so that it can address its security concerns," Karki said.

Yang has an in-depth knowledge about Nepal and its political situation and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Through Yang's visit, China also wants to be convinced that its security concerns will be addressed by the new government of Nepal, according to a foreign policy commentator.

During his meeting with political party leaders and government officials, Yang will get the first hand information about the latest political situation in Nepal and government's preparations for holding the polls.

According to experts, Yang is also expected to express China's commitment to providing any kinds of assistance to make the election a success.

"China wants to see election on scheduled date and during his meeting with leaders, Yang will encourage the government and political parties for the same purpose," said Giri, the commentator. "There are still some doubts about the prospects of election, so Yang will try to find the exact position regarding election in Nepal."

Nepal is passing through a political transition after the Constituent Assembly election in 2008 dissolved last year without delivering a new constitution. International community is urging Nepal to hold the election as soon as possible for drafting a new constitution.

The review of the ongoing China-funded projects and discussions about further economic collaboration between the two countries are other prominent agendas of the visit.

China is going to invest in some big development projects and facing problems in some projects, which will be addressed during the meeting," said Foreign Ministry officials.

In 2008, immediately after the formation of government led by Unified Communist party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Yang visited Nepal as a foreign minister.

Now, he is visiting Nepal immediately after the announcement of Constituent Assembly (CA) election slated for November 19.

On April 14-20, Nepal's former Prime Minister Prachanda visited China, becoming the first South Asian top leader to visit China after its new leadership was elected in March. In January last year, then Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao paid a visit to Nepal.