KATHMANDU: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane is likely to visit China in August following an invitation from the Communist Party of China (CPC), with preparations for the political visit entering the final stage, party sources said.
According to party insiders, the visit is expected to focus on political, economic and social issues, with high-level meetings planned in Beijing. Sources said Lamichhane may also hold talks with senior CPC leaders and could meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, although no official confirmation has been made.
A party source said the invitation had been extended by the Chinese side some time ago and Lamichhane has now agreed to undertake the visit.
“The visit is almost finalized, but the exact dates have not yet been fixed. It is a political visit that has been under discussion for a long time, and preparations are underway,” the source said, adding that the final composition of the delegation has yet to be decided.
RSP leader Ganesh Parajuli said discussions during the visit are expected to cover a broad range of political issues related to Nepal-China relations.
“There could be several political meetings, and it is possible there may be talks with the Chinese President as well. However, no formal schedule has been confirmed yet,” he said.
According to senior party sources, Lamichhane is expected to travel to China either in the final week of Shrawan or the first week of Bhadra.
Although the visit is not an official government mission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating logistical and diplomatic arrangements, officials said.
A Foreign Ministry official said the visit would be conducted in a party capacity rather than as a state visit.
“The ministry facilitates coordination, but this is not an official government visit. It is a party-to-party engagement,” the official said, adding that the visit could last around five days. The final delegation has not yet been finalized, though it is expected to comprise no more than seven members.
The invitation follows Lamichhane’s recent visit to India at the invitation of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), during which he also held a courtesy meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Party sources said potential members of the China delegation include RSP General Secretary Bipin Acharya, party leader Ganesh Parajuli, Deepak Bohara, leader Lima Adhikari, Lamichhane’s personal secretary Avinash Acharya and his wife Nikita Poudel. However, the final list is yet to be approved.
“The names have not been finalized. The delegation will likely consist of five to seven members, depending on political requirements,” a source close to Lamichhane said.
Meanwhile, discussions have also continued over a possible visit to India by Prime Minister Balen Shah before Dashain. However, Foreign Ministry officials said no formal preparations have begun and that any official bilateral visit would require months of advance planning.
Comment