Nepal is preparing to set up its consulate general office in Guangzhou, the fourth diplomatic mission in China.

Apart from its embassy in Beijing, Nepal has one consulate in Lhasa and another in Hong Kong, China.

The government had decided to open the office in Guangzhou in February 2013. Nepal had since been waiting final approval from the Chinese side.

As soon as Beijing gave its consent, a recent Cabinet meeting decided to appoint Ravi Bhattarai, joint-secretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies, as first consulate general in Guangzhou. Bhattarai is an expert in trade, with an experience of serving as Nepal’s deputy permanent representative in Geneva.

Nepali traders and Nepalis living in China have been demanding a consulate office in Guangzhou as it is the first destination for Nepali traders in the neighbouring country with an easily 

accessible sea port and regular flights to and from Kathmandu.

Three diplomatic officials will be posted along with a few other lower rank staffers. The government has also decided to station its consulate general in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province of China.

Opening of the office in Chengdu will take place in the second phase, said a senior Foreign Ministry official.

The Oli-led government last year decided to open its mission in Chengdu with a view to enhancing consular and economic ties between Nepal and the Chinese province.

Nepal already has 39 diplomatic outposts, including 31 embassies, two permanent missions and six consulates. The Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government has decided to open embassies also in Spain and Austria.