Kathmandu, September 8
Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi is arriving in Kathmandu on Sunday afternoon on his three-day official visit to Nepal. Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs say he will land at the Tribhuvan International Airport at 3:45 pm today.
Wang is coming to Kathmandu via Pakistan and Nepal’s Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi will receive him at the airport.
Officials and commentators have interpreted that his visit will lay groundwork for the upcoming visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Xi is said to come to Kathmandu in the second week of October. However, the dates are yet to be confirmed officially.
Wang will pay courtesy calls on President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Sunday itself. The ministry says the officials will discuss issues about the Belt and Road Initiative and China-assisted development projects in Nepal during the meetings.
On Monday, Wang and his delegation will hold bilateral talks with his Nepali counterpart Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and his delegation on Monday. During that meeting, issues revolving around Nepal-China trade including the smooth operation of Tatopani and Kyirong border points and proposed cross-border railway will be discussed.
Gyawali will also host a dinner in his honour.
