Former President Bidya Bhandari to Visit China on Saturday

Kathmandu: Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari is set to depart for China this Saturday for a week-long visit at the invitation of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Bhandari, who completed her second term as Nepal’s head of state in March 2023, will meet with high-level Chinese officials during her stay in Beijing. While her visit is being framed as a diplomatic engagement, the composition of her delegation has sparked political discussion at home.

Accompanying her are several senior leaders of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), including UML Secretary and Foreign Department Chief Raghubir Mahaseth, Minister for Industry Damodar Bhandari, UML Permanent Committee Member Karna Bahadur Thapa, and leaders Goma Devkota and Devi Bhatta.

This visit had originally been scheduled for September last year but was postponed. Now, with the trip finally materializing and a cadre of UML figures in tow, observers believe this may be more than a goodwill gesture—it could mark Bhandari’s renewed interest in political engagement after leaving the presidency.

Political analysts suggest that her decision to travel with prominent UML leaders may indicate deeper alignment with party strategy and a potential role in shaping Nepal-China relations from outside formal office.

As Nepal continues to navigate its diplomatic posture between global powers, Bhandari’s visit to China—and the political undertones it carries—will be closely watched both at home and abroad.