Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Nepal visit

KATHMANDU: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi today arrived here on a three-day visit to Nepal seeking to boost ties ahead of a possible trip to the country by President Xi Jinping.

Wang is the highest-ranking Chinese official to visit Nepal after the Constituent Assembly elections held in November, 2013.

Accompanied by a seven-member delegation, Wang is scheduled to meet Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister Sushil Koirala.

Wang will also hold bilateral talks with his Nepal counterpart Mahendra Bhadur Pandey tomorrow.

During his visit, Wang will also lay the foundation stone for the China-funded Armed Police Force Academy building in Halchowk and hand over medical equipment to the Civil Service Hospital, the Himalayan Times reported.

The Chinese foreign minister will also call on Constituent Assembly Chairman Subas Nembang and meet senior leaders of major parties, including Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and UCPN-Maoist.

A top official said Wang's visit was a prelude to a possible trip to Nepal by President Xi in the near future. Xi could visit Nepal in late January or early February as Nepal and China are celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of diplomatic relations next year.