Nepal vice president leaves for China

Nepal's Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun today left for China leading a business delegation and address a meeting on cooperation and development along the ambitious Silk Road project initiated by Beijing.
The 23rd China-Lanzhou Investment and Trade Fair will be held in Lanzhou, the capital of the northwestern Gansu Province on July 6.
During the visit, the Vice President will address the High-profile Forum for Cooperation and Development along the Silk Road and also deliver a keynote speech to the business community on the theme "Nepal- China (Gansu) Economic and Trade Cooperation Exchange Conference" on July 7, according to a statement issued by Nepal's Foreign Ministry.

Vice President Pun is also scheduled to meet senior Chinese leaders during the visit. Pun will also visit two historical cities of Shaanxi Province of China - Xi'an and Yan'an, where the provincial Chinese leaders will call on the former Maoist leader.
He is accompanied by his spouse Hastamali Pun and senior officials at the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Commerce. He is scheduled to return Kathmandu on July 10.
Nepal is the guest of honour country at the trade fair. Nepal recently signed the Belt and Road projects initiated by China.
The Belt and Road projects aims to enhance connectivity and cooperation among countries, primarily between China and the rest of Asia and Europe through land as well as maritime routes.

Nepal signing the deal with China raised some concerns in India, which has opposed Beijing's initiative. India has reservations over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, part of the One Belt One Road, as it is proposed to pass through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.