A senior Chinese official arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday to assess the political situation, local party officials said, a first diplomatic step by the neighboring power after Nepal's Prime Minister dissolved parliament a week ago, Reuters reports. The move triggered deep political unrest and street protests in the Himalayan nation as it grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, and left the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) on the verge of a split. "I think the Chinese have come to assess the overall situation after the dissolution of parliament and virtual break-up of the Nepal Communist Party,'' said Narayan Khadka, a senior leader of the opposition Nepali Congress party. The Chinese Embassy in Nepal was not immediately available for comment. Bishnu Rijal, a central committee member of the NCP, said the Chinese official was expected to meet Oli and his opponents.

Source: The Standard December 27, 2020 15:44 UTC