BEIJING - China on Tuesday called on political parties in Nepal to resume "political stability and economic development" at an early date as a senior Chinese official arrived in the country's capital on a mission to strengthen economic ties.
In response to Sunday's resignation of Nepali Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said China hoped that political parties in Nepal will seek consensus through dialogue.
"China appreciates Prime Minister Khanal's commitment to the development of the China-Nepal relationship during his term," Ma said in a statement.
He added that China values the friendship and cooperation between the two countries in accordance with the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
Meanwhile, Zhou Yongkang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and also secretary of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday for a three-day tour that is part of a five-nation swing to enhance party-to-party ties.
In a written statement released upon his arrival, Zhou said he looks forward to exchanging views with leaders of the Nepalese government and political parties on China-Nepal ties, inter-party relations and mutual concerns.
The visit comes just days after the prime minister announced his resignation over a lack of progress in the peace process that ended years of civil war.
Khanal agreed to remain in his post until a new prime minister is elected by parliament.
Hu Shisheng, an expert on South Asia studies with the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, said Nepal faces considerable uncertainty in its political future.
"As instability became the usual scenario of Nepal's politics, China has to take all the possible variables into consideration when dealing with the country," he said.
China and Nepal have substantially boosted economic ties in recent years. Reports showed that in March, the two countries signed a number of deals for financial assistance and infrastructure projects, including loan assistance from the Export-Import Bank of China for the Upper Trisuli hydropower project.
Xinhua and Zhen Yangpeng contributed to this story.
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