China wants to 'elevate' partnership with Saarc

On the eve of the Saarc (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) summit in Nepal, China said it wants to "elevate its partnership" with the South Asian bloc, amid a debate in the official media in Beijing on enhancing China's role in the eight-member grouping from an observer to that of an active member. Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala said it will talk to other states in the grouping for Beijing's membership.