High-Level Chinese Team Arrives In Nepal For Official Visit

By Yuba Nath Lamsal KATHMANDU, Aug 24 (Bernama) – A high-level Chinese delegation led by International Department assistant minister Dou Enyong of the central committee, Communist Party of China, arrived here on Sunday for a three-day official visit. The delegation will discuss with Nepalese authorities on possible Chinese cooperation in Nepal’s reconstruction in the aftermath of the massive April earthquake in Nepal, said a statement from the Chinese embassy. The delegation is scheduled to meet with Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, foreign minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey and leaders of different political parties of Nepal. The Chinese team will also hold official talks with the Nepalese delegation headed by Nepalese foreign secretary Shankar Das Bairagi on Nepal-China cooperation in general, it said. Dou told the media upon arrival at the airport, that China as a close neighbor would help Nepal in rebuilding the damaged structures. "We will hold discussions in detail with Nepalese authorities on modalities of cooperation as per the aspirations of the Nepalese people and practical need of the country. “I believe that with the joint efforts of the international community and its own people, Nepal will tide over difficulties and rebuild its homeland as soon as possible”, he said. China has announced a grant of US$76 million for Nepal’s reconstruction and the present Chinese delegation is expected to discuss areas and modalities of utilising this assistance. Nepal and China share a 1400-kilometre common border along the Himalayas. The two countries established their diplomatic relations in 1955 and are celebrating their diamond jubilee (60th anniversary) this year. -- BERNAMA