KATHMANDU, July 3: Nepal's Province 5 government and China's Sichuan Province have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish provincial ties.

The agreement was reached between the two sides during the ongoing visit of Province 5 Chief Minister Shanker Pokharel to Sichuan Province of China. Chief Minister Pokharel and Sichuan Province Governor Yin Li signed the deal on establishing provincial ties between Province 5 and Sichuan, on Tuesday.

On the occasion, Chief Minster Pokharel expressed his confidence that the agreement would contribute to the promotion of bilateral ties between the two countries to a larger extent.

Governor Li said that China and Nepal expressed happiness on the growing ties between the two countries.

"The signing of the MoU is expected to help charter a new course in our bilateral ties," he said.

Chief Minister Pokharel conveyed the message of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to the provincial leaders. He said that deepening ties between provincial governments of Province 5 and Sichuan Province would help to promote bilateral ties between the two countries.

CM Pokharel also extended an invitation to the Sichuan Governor for the visit to State-5 and Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha.

Pokharel shared that the Gautam Buddha international Airport will come into operation soon in Bhairahawa. He also sought Chinese assistance to establish direct flights between Chengdu and Bhairahawa.

Governor Li thanked Pokharel for extending the invitation to visit Lumbini. Li said that the two sides can further discuss Nepal's proposal to establish direct flights between Chengdu and Bhairahawa.

Chief Minister Pokharel held a meeting with Deputy Director General of Chinese Communist Party Xe Xang on Tuesday. On the occasion, matters related to ties between the Chinese Communist Party and Nepal Communist Party and bilateral ties between Nepal and China were discussed.

Xang appreciated Nepal and Nepali people for adhering 'one China policy'. He also said that China respects Nepal's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Pokharel also noted that Nepali people are looking forward to the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Nepal. "I request you to convey this message to President Xi," he said.

Chief Minister Pokharel had reached Chengdu on Monday on a ten-day visit at the invitation of the International Department of Chinese Communist Party.

 
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