Kathmandu, Mar 4 (UNI) United Nations Secretary-General's Special Representative to Nepal Ian Martin said China is extremely supportive of the peace process in Nepal.

''So far as China is concerned, it has been extremely supportive from my perspective of the UN's role,'' the Kathmandu Post quoted Mr Martin as saying in New York.

The previous royalist government led by King Gyanendra had exaggerated while saying that it had garnered Chinese support, when India was too critical of the government, he said.

''They [King Gyanendra's government] wanted to project themselves as having support countering the criticism that they were receiving from India and other governments,'' said Mr Martin.

''But now, China is fully supportive of the process.'' Some government officials have claimed that China has been displeased with the UN officials not giving it enough space - with regard to holding consultations - as has been given to India, in the ongoing peace process, the paper said.

''This is a peace agreement that was negotiated between the principal Nepali actors, and yes it was smiled upon by India, where key negotiations between the Maoists and the political parties took place, but in no way was it mediated by India,'' he said.

UNI