KATHMANDU: A delegation from the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) has arrived in Kathmandu at a time when the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is preparing to form a single-party government.

The four-member delegation, led by CPC official Cheng Yoya, landed in Kathmandu on Tuesday via Air China, transiting through Chengdu. The same team had previously visited Kathmandu few months before, and a separate three-member team led by Cheng had also arrived ahead of the March 05 elections to assess the political environment.

The latest visit coincided with the departure of a high-level United States military delegation, underscoring growing geopolitical attention on Nepal’s evolving political landscape. Soon after arriving, the Chinese delegation began holding political meetings.

During their stay, the delegation is expected to assess the government formation process, understand the incoming government’s outlook toward China, and review the status of Chinese-backed projects in Nepal, particularly under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has seen limited progress despite formal agreements.

Sources said the delegation is seeking meetings with senior RSP leaders, including party chair Rabi Lamichhane, senior leader Balen Shah, and international department chief Shishir Khanal. The Chinese side is also expected to engage with other major political figures, including CPN (Maoist Centre) chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and leaders of CPN-UML.

Beijing has signaled a willingness to work closely with the RSP amid the shifting political landscape. In a congratulatory message, the CPC expressed its intent to maintain friendly relations with a new government and deepen bilateral cooperation.

“We are ready to strengthen bilateral ties and deepen mutual learning to promote steady and sustained development of China-Nepal relations,” the CPC said in its message.

The party also praised RSP leadership, including Lamichhane and likely prime ministerial contender Balen Shah, expressing confidence that the RSP would continue Nepal’s traditional friendship with China and expand cooperation across sectors.

The CPC further voiced optimism that key agreements, including those under the BRI framework, would be implemented under the new political leadership. “China and Nepal share a long-standing friendship connected by mountains and rivers. Under new circumstances, China stands ready to deepen political mutual trust and advance Belt and Road cooperation,” the statement read.

In response, RSP’s foreign affairs chief Shishir Khanal reaffirmed the party’s commitment to strengthening Nepal-China ties. In a statement, he emphasized that the RSP would continue to prioritize relations with neighboring countries while adhering to Nepal’s independent foreign policy and the principles of Panchsheel.

“The CPC has expressed happiness over the growing engagement with the RSP and confidence that ties between the two political forces will deepen further. We appreciate the goodwill and solidarity extended by the CPC,” Khanal said.