Kathmandu \u2014 China, along with India, has expressed keen interest in the Nepal visit of US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, S. Paul Kapur. While Kapur, who arrived in Nepal on Monday, returned on Wednesday, Cao Qing, Deputy Director of the Asian Affairs Department at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also visited Nepal, held high-level meetings, and has since returned to Beijing.<\/p>\n
According to sources at Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cao arrived at the ministry on the same day that Assistant Secretary Kapur met with Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba. Cao met with Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai and expressed interest regarding Kapur’s visit.<\/p>\n
Kapur held separate meetings with Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane, Finance Minister Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat, and Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba. During those meetings, Kapur raised the issue of Tibetan refugees. According to ministry sources, when Kapur expressed concern over the security and management of Tibetan refugees, Cao Qing objected.<\/p>\n
Cao also expressed concern over the situation of Tibetan refugees in Nepal and recent visits by representatives of the 14th Dalai Lama, ministry sources said. Additionally, China is closely watching whether Nepal will participate in the swearing-in ceremony of Penpa Tsering as Chairman of the Central Tibetan Administration, scheduled for May 27 in Dharamshala, India. Sources indicate that China has raised concerns over Nepal’s possible participation, as an invitation may be extended to Nepal.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming had met with former Home Minister Sudhan Gurung on (Chaitra 30) and raised concerns over growing anti-China activities in Nepal. Ambassador Zhang had also expressed concern over Tibetan political programs in Nepal and raised questions about Nepal’s position regarding the May 27 swearing-in ceremony.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, sources claim that Deputy Director Cao also met with some leaders of CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center), though this has not been officially confirmed. The Asian Affairs Department is responsible for implementing China’s foreign policies and principles, handling diplomatic affairs with relevant countries and regions, sending representatives as needed, and guiding Chinese diplomatic missions abroad. The department is headed by Director Liu Jinxuan, with Cao among four deputy directors.<\/p>\n
Following the emergence of Tibetan-related issues during various meetings and observations during Kapur’s recent visit to Nepal, China has appeared increasingly concerned.<\/p>\n