'Xiexie Xi'an!': PM Modi leaves for Beijing

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday left for Beijing after completing the first part of his three-day tour of China.

The Prime Minister began his tour with a visit to Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi province.

"Xiexie Xi'an! PM @narendramodi departs the city for Beijing for the second leg of his China visit," tweeted MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi was accorded a traditional tang dynasty welcome at South City Wall in Xi'an. He also witnessed a grand cultural programme at the Pot City Courtyard.

The Prime Minister presented replicas of a stone casket of Buddhist relics and a stone statue of Lord Buddha to President Xi Jinping, with whom he held summit-level talks in Xi'an.

Prime Minister Modi also appreciated the Chinese leader for warmly receiving him outside Beijing.

President Xi in turn, recalled his visit to Ahmedabad in September last year where he was warmly received by Prime Minister Modi. The Chinese President said he was glad to receive Prime Minister Modi in his home town, Xi'an.

Prime Minister Modi also visited the terracotta warriors and a Xian pagoda connected to Xuanzang, also known as Tripitaka, the monk who bought the Buddhist sutras to China from India thousands of years ago.