Mamata to visit China later this month

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee along with a delegation will visit China from June 22-30 and the visit would be "important" for interaction between the neighbouring country and Eastern India, a Chinese diplomat said here on Friday.

"Visit to China by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is very important. This is actually her first visit to China. Chinese side attaches a great importance to her visit. Arrangements are still underway. It will be worked by the Chinese government, India MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) and Indian Embassy at Beijing," Chinese Consul General Ma Zhanwu told the media here.

"She will be visiting to Beijing, Jinan of Shandong province and Shanghai," MA said, adding that the visit would be "important for interaction between China and eastern India".

"I can assure you it would be an impressive visit for economy, trade, investment, cultural ties and also educational exchanges, he said.

Banerjee is expected to meet leaders of provinces, captains of businesses and many others during here visit, he said.

Ma also informed West Bengal Agriculture Minister would also lead a group to China in the middle of this month to attend the China South Asia Expo.

He said a China-India joint artistic performance would be held by the Chinese consulate in the city on June 11, in coperation with the Cultural Affairs Department of Yunnan Province of China, Kolkata Police and Rakshak Foundation.

--IANS

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