Maoist Center Vice-Chairman Shrestha off to China

Kathmandu, December 4 — Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Vice-Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), has flown to China. His sudden departure to China came after the agreement between Nepal and China on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

According to sources, there was no prior plan for him to travel to China. His departure to China was only made known after he had already left.

It is said that he has gone to participate in a conference that is to be held in Shanghai, China.

Previously, while serving as the Foreign Minister, Vice-Chairman Shrestha made significant efforts to implement the BRI. He had held discussions and reached agreements on the BRI while staying in China.

In June, preparations were underway for the final signing of the BRI agreement. China’s Foreign Ministry secretary had even arrived in Nepal for the signing. However, the signing could not take place at the last moment.

At that time, Foreign Minister Shrestha was in Iran. Had he not been abroad that day, the signing of the BRI agreement would have happened on that very day.

Senior leaders of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist), Jhalanath Khanal, and the Chairman of the Janamat Party, Dr. C.K. Raut, are also currently on visits to China.