New Delhi, Beijing vying to woo Nepal; China sending envoy

Kathmandu, Feb 23 (PTI) Beijing and New Delhi seem to
be in a diplomatic race to woo Maoist ruled Nepal with
Communist China sending a high level delegation here, days
after Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon visited the
Himalayan nation.

Assistant Chinese Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi will
visit Kathmandu as the head of a high level delegation on
February 28 on a three day trip, Nepalese Foreign Minister
Upendra Yadav told PTI over phone.

The visit will be aimed at strengthening bilateral
relations and expanding areas of cooperation between the two
neighbours, officials said.

The Chinese official will meet Prime Minister
Prachanda, Foreign Minister Yadav, other high government
officials and leaders of major political parties in Nepal.

The visit is seen here as growing interest shown by
Beijing in Nepal's political affairs in the recent period.
China's interest in Nepal has increased especially after the
Maoists came to power last year.

Menon had visited Nepal on February 28 on a 24-hour
visit for strengthening ties with the Maoist led government.

The Liu's visit comes ahead of possible pro-Tibet
demonstrations in Kathmandu in March, when Tibetans are
planning to observe their 50th Uprising Day. PTI SBP
SAK