President Bhandari leaves for China to attend Second Belt and Road Forum

Published On: April 24, 2019 12:25 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

File photo/Republica

KATHMANDU, April 24: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has left for a state visit to China, on Wednesday.

Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Cabinet ministers and senior government officials bid farewell to high-powered delegation led by President Bhandari at the Tribhuvan International Airport today morning.

During her eight-day visit, Bhandari will attend the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and address the same forum to be held in the Chinese Capital Beijing.

On her way to Beijing, the president is making a stopover in Xi’an, the capital city of Shaanxi Province.

This is the first state visit of the Nepali head of the state to the northern neighbor since Nepal became Federal Democratic Republic following the overthrow of Monarchy in 2008. The president is visiting China at the invitation of her counterpart Xi Jinping.

She will also attend the banquet hosted by her Chinese counterpart. The president will also attend the Opening Ceremony of International Horticultural Exhibition and visit Nepali pavilion there.

President Bhandari will hold delegation level bilateral talks Chinese President Xi, which will be followed by a signing ceremony, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

She will meet with senior Chinese leaders. President will address the joint meeting of the business community from Nepal and China in Beijing.

Bhandari is also scheduled to attend a reception hosted by the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing.

Bhandari will fly to Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet Autonomous Region of China, on her way back home. In both places, she will meet with the provincial leaders.

President Bhandari is accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Chief Minister of Province No. 3 Hon. Dor Mani Paudel, Federal Parliament members, high-ranking government officials, Nepal’s ambassador to China, representatives of the private sector and media persons. Concluding her trip, the president will return home on May 2.