Nepal Constitution must be in national interest: China

China today expressed hope that Nepalese political parties would keep in mind Nepal's national interest while drafting the new Constitution.
"We are confident that Nepalese political parties will uphold fundamental national interest while carving the Constitution," visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during his meeting with Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, said Dinesh Bhattarai, Foreign Affairs adviser to the premier.
Nepal's political parties are sharply divided on the number of federal units and forms of governance to be incorporated in the long-delayed Constitution.
The opposition parties including UCPN-Maoist and Madhesi parties are pressing for dividing the country into 10 to 12 federal units whereas ruling alliance of Nepali Congress and CPN-UML are favouring 6-7 federal units saying that increasing the number of federal units would jeopardise the country's national interest.

Wang said that "China wants to see a peaceful, united, stable and prosperous Nepal".
During the meeting, Koirala appraised Wang about Nepal's Constitution-writing process, according to Bhattarai.

Wang appreciated Nepal's efforts to lift itself out of the group of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) by 2022 and offered all kinds of assistance it needs for the purpose, according to the premier's adviser.
"To realise this goal, Nepal, first of all, needs a politically and socially stable environment, and China, as a friend of Nepal, hopes that the constitutional process in the country will be pushed forward smoothly," Wang said.
Koirala called for more Chinese investment in Nepal, and aid in infrastructure building, tourism and connectivity.

China has raised annual aid to Nepal from 150 million yuan to 800 million yuan, according to Wang. China is also one of the largest FDI contributors to Nepal.
The Chinese also donated medical equipment worth Rs (Nepalese) 200 million to the Civil Service Hospital here. The 132-bed hospital building was constructed at a cost of Rs 650 million with the help of the Chinese government.
Wang commended Koirala for successfully hosting the 18th SAARC Summit last month and expressed China's desire to increase its engagement in the regional grouping for development and stability in the region.
Koirala also invited Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang to visit Nepal as the two neighbours mark 60 years of establishment of diplomatic ties next year.

Wang also extended an invitation to Koirala and President Ram Baran Yadav to visit China, according to Bhattarai.