CPM team's China visit begins today

A CPI(M) delegation led by Politburo member and MP Sitaram Yechury arrives in China on Monday to get a first-hand experience of the Chinese model of economy that has been repeatedly, though unsuccessfully, cited by the UPA regime in its dealings with the Left allies.

The visit of the five-member delegation comes in response to an invitation by the Communist Party of China for an "exchange of ideas about Marxist theory and practices."

The delegation is scheduled to interact and exchange ideas on a variety of subjects with Chinese officials. What could, however, be of interest to the UPA regime here is Yechury's scheduled visit to industrial centres including SEZs in China, according to Left sources.

These visits are expected to give some fresh perspective to the Indian Left leadership which has been stonewalling all reforms initiatives of the UPA regime, ignoring its fervent pleas that the Left allies should look at China.

Yechury's visit also comes ahead of Chinese President Hu Jintao's scheduled visit to India next month. Although Yechury is not scheduled to meet him during the 10-day stay in China, the CPI(M) leader is learnt to be carrying a message from the Government of India that the latter wants to upgrade its political and economic ties with the neighbouring country during Jintao's visit, according to Left sources.