China: Resolve statute issue without outside help

China on Wednesday called on Nepal government and parties to resolve the differences over the new Constitution without “outside interference”, a veiled reference to India amid ongoing agitation in the country by Indian-origin Madhesis.

“China is closely following the situation in Nepal,” foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said, when asked about a police firing on protestors during anti- Constitution stir in Nepal in which one Indian was killed.

“We hope that the Nepali government and all relevant parties will bear in mind national unity, social stability and fundamental interests of people in Nepal,” she said, asking the Nepal government and other political parties to properly address their differences.

“Properly resolve differences through consultations in a peaceful manner with no interference from outside, restore stability back to Nepal as soon as possible and stay committed to post disaster reconstruction and long-term development of Nepal,” she said.

Ever since the crisis erupted in Nepal over Madhesis protesting over the new Constitution, China has opened its borders with Nepal in Tibet which was closed and sent some supplies of fuel to ease shortage hit by protestors blockade on the Indian border.

China National United Oil Corp has also signed an agreement with Nepal Oil Corp for supplying fuel.

Beijing also said it is willing to have friendly consultations with India to work out consensus to address Nepal’s constitutional crisis.

Another foreign ministry spokesperson, Lu Kang, told media here on October 28 that “both India and Nepal are friendly neighbours to China”. “We hope that in maintaining regional stability and state-to state friendship all relevant counties can sit together and have friendly consultations so that consensus can be reached,” he said.

The southern plains of landlocked Nepal have been simmering with tension since the Constitution was formally adopted on September 20.

Madhesis, the Indian-origin inhabitants of Nepal’s Terai region, are protesting division of their ancestral homeland in the new Constitution.

Over 40 people have died in the violent agitation that has also overwhelmed Indo-Nepal ties.