China says Nepali Maoists aren't real deal

BEIJING, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- China's Foreign Ministry Thursday denied the Maoist credentials of insurgents that have been destabilizing Nepal.

Spokesman Kong Quan was asked if the rebel group that has been waging a nearly decade-long guerilla war against the landlocked monarchy high in the Himalayas could be classified as terrorists.

"No country likes to see turbulence within its borders, and as a close neighbor in South Asia, we hope that Nepal will achieve social stability and economic prosperity," Kong replied.

Sandwiched between China and India, Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world. On Monday King Gyanendra dismissed the government and took full control of the country. One of the reasons used by the king to justify the move was that civilian leaders had been unable to crush the movement inspired by the ideology of China's greatest communist revolutionary, Mao Zedong.

Queried about the Nepali Maoist connection, Kong said: "This question has been raised several times in the last couple of years. This group is totally irrelevant with Mao Zedong. We also feel unsatisfied with the connection between their ideals and Mao Zedong Thought."

Asked if Nepal had requested help from China in dealing with the insurgents. Kong replied, "I have no information."