Kathmandu, May 24 -- Amid controversy over her plan to return to active politics through the CPN-UML, former President Bidya Devi Bhandari will kick off a 10-day official visit to China on Saturday. Her move is widely being seen as intended to garner support from the northern neighbour for her future political journey.

Bhandari will lead a 14-member delegation that includes Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari, and Raghubir Mahaseth, the head of foreign affairs of the UML.

According to the itinerary, the delegation will reach Beijing via Guangzhou on Sunday. That evening, Bhandari will attend a welcome banquet attended by political leaders from neighboring countries and Chinese officials from the International L...