Nepal foreign minister to visit China

Nepal's Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali will leave tonight on a four-day visit to China.

Gyawali is visiting the country at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart and state councillor Wang Yi.

This is his first visit to China after the recent formation of the new Nepal government led by Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli.

Gyawali said that during bilateral talks he would focus on implementing old agreements reached with the Chinese government and discuss enhancing connectivity and constructing a railway line between Nepal and China.

However, there will be no agreements during the visit, said officials. Gyawali is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Wang on Wednesday, foreign ministry sources here said.

The Nepal government believes in strengthening bilateral relations with its neighbours, he said.

The government will mobilise its diplomatic mechanisms to introduce Nepal as an inclusive, progressive and democratic country on the global stage, Gyawali said in a statement prior to his departure.

He said the government gives high priority to amicable relations with neighbouring countries.