After Modi-Xi Summit, Nepal decks up to welcome the Chinese President

The government of Nepal has planned a grand welcome for the President of China, Xi Jinping when he arrives in the country on October 12. It has set up welcome gates at several locations in Kathmandu along with the flag of both the countries. Furthermore, the portrait of Chinese President Jinping has been put on poles. This will be the first-ever visit by a Chinese head of the state to Nepal in 23 years. The engagements of the Chinese President will last for two days. 

Read | Modi-Xi Mamallapuram Meet Reflects Positive Atmospherics; Enhance Ties

Nepal schedule

Currently, Xi Jinping is in India for his second informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As per his schedule, the Chinese President will first meet his counterpart Bindhya Devi Bhandari at the Sheetal Niwas on Saturday evening, after which a dinner will be hosted by her. This will be followed by his meeting with Nepal's Former Prime Minister and Opposition Party Chairman Sher Bahadur Deuba. On Sunday morning, another powerful leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ will interact with Xi Jinping. Thereafter, Nepal’s PM KP Sharma Oli and the Chinese President will witness the signing of several bilateral agreements.  

Read | Nepal PM Meets Experts, Former PMs Before Xi Jinping's Visit

'China supports Chinese business investment in Nepal'

Penning an article in Nepal’s ‘The Rising Nepal’ newspaper ahead of his visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for more investment in priority areas like trade and investment, post-disaster reconstruction, energy, and tourism.  

He wrote, “We need to make greater efforts to develop a Multi-dimensional Connectivity Network across the Himalayas. China supports Chinese business investment in Nepal in the four priority cooperation areas of trade and investment, post-disaster reconstruction, energy, and tourism. China welcomes Nepal’s participation in the second China International Import Expo to promote exports of its speciality products to China. What’s more, China will continue to support post-disaster reconstruction and do what it can to support and assist the betterment of people’s lives in Nepal.” 

Read | Nepal And China To Sign Numerous Bilateral Agreements And MoU

'Historic visit'

Earlier, addressing a media briefing in Beijing, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui stressed that it was a historic visit and expressed hope on the positive outcome. He reckoned that the visit would provide a new blueprint for the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is China’s most ambitious infrastructure plan. 

He said, “It is a historic visit. This visit will yield historic outcomes with historic significance and implications. Xi’s visit will consolidate the political foundation for China-Nepal bilateral ties and provide a new blueprint for the joint development of the BRI cooperation.” 

(With ANI inputs)

Read | Nepal Becoming A Gateway For Chinese Criminals, 6 Caught For Hacking