KATHMANDU, Nov 19 : China has named Hou Yanqi as its next ambassador to Nepal.

The Chinese side recently communicated to Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs through diplomatic channel about its decision to nominate the new ambassador, a diplomatic source familiar to this development told Republica Online on Monday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will formally appoint Hou as the next ambassador to Nepal once the Nepalese side approves the agreemo, the source added.  Ms. Hou is currently serving as one of the four deputy director generals at the Department of Asian Affairs under the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Hou will replace Yu Hong, who has been serving as the Chinese envoy to Nepal since November 2016. Ambassador Yu has played significant role in further strenthening bilateral ties between Nepal and China during her tenure. Nepal joined the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative in May 2017 and made high level representation to the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation same year which were some of the major landmark developments taken place between the two countries during her tenure.