Butwal, January 15
Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi, has stressed the need for opening direct flights between Chengdu, the capital city Sichuan province of China, and Bhairahawa in Province 5 of Nepal.
During a meeting with the province’s Chief Minister Shankar Pokhrel in Butwal on Wednesday, the ambassador said Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, was one of the major attractions for the Chinese tourists, hence operating the direct flights would be helpful. The two provinces of the neighbouring countries have also signed an agreement for sisterly relations.
During the meeting, CM Pokhrel reminded the ties between the two provinces and asked the ambassador to forward his invitation to the province’s governor to visit Lumbini.
He also said the province would achieve remarkable progress if the Keyrong-Kathmandu railway project planned under the Belt and Road Initiative was successful. Ambassador Hou said she was happy to have visited various places of the region.
