The proposed visit of Chinese Deputy Prime Minister, Thang Jia Swang, to Nepal which was scheduled to start next week has been deferred by a month.

Reports quoting diplomatic sources said the three-day visit scheduled to start from February 16 has been postponed as the Chinese delegate has to attend the session of the Chinese People’s Congress.

The visit has been rescheduled for March 16, reports added.

The proposed high-level visit was considered very important especially at a time when the royal government has been facing criticism from the international community including India, USA, UK and the European Union for its position regarding the restoration of democratic process.

The Chinese Deputy PM who was to visit Nepal at the invitation of vice-chairman of the Council of Ministers, Kirti Nidhi Bista, was also scheduled to meet some opposition leaders.

At a time when Nepal’s major donors of military aid have suspended military aid China recently delivered a military consignment which included arms and ammunition. The northern neighbour has termed the current political crisis in Nepal as an internal matter.