Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is leaving for China on Sunday at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
He is leading a 56-member delegation to Beijing.
During his visit, several agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed between the two countries. Both countries are preparing to formalise Transit and Transportation Agreement and Hilsa Bridge Construction Project and sign a loan agreement with China EXIM bank for the construction of a regional international airport in Pokhara, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa.
The two countries are also likely to sign MoUs on Free Trade Agreement, Patent Rights and Banking Regulations, said Thapa.
Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC), enabling both the regulators to exchange supervisory information.
Several feasibility studies, including Kimathanka-Biratnagar road, second phase of Ring Road expansion, Kerung-Kathmandu rail, and petroleum storage facilities in three locations and a mono rail for Kathmandu are also high on agenda.
The construction the Hilsa bridge will be the third friendly bridge connecting Nepal and China after Tatopani in Sindhupalchok and Kerung in Rasuwa.
This is Oli’s second foreign visit after India last month since he became the prime minister in October last year.
PM Oli will be accompanied by his spouse Radhika Shakya, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa, Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Commerce Minister Deepak Bohara, Education Minister Giriraj Mani Pokharel, PM’s Chief Political Advisor Bishnu Rimal, parliamentarians and senior bureaucrats.
During the visit, PM will pay courtesy calls on Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang.
He will also meet Yu Zhengsheng, Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
PM Oli is also scheduled to address the scholars, academics, business people and students at Renmin University on the theme “Nepal-China Relations in the Context of Belt and Road Initiatives”.
He will also witness the signing ceremony of an MoU on Granting Nepal the Status of Dialogue Partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). He will address the Chinese and Nepali business communities at the China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).
During his stay in China, PM Oli is also scheduled to meet provincial and municipal leaders in Xi’an of Shaanxi Province and Chengdu of Sichuan Province and address the business communities in both the places. He will inspect earthquake reconstruction zone and a hydroelectricity project in Sichuan province.
PM is scheduled to return home on March 27 from Chengdu.
Itinerary
March 21
To pay courtesy call on Chinese President Xi Jinping before attending the welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People where he will hold bilateral official talks with Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang and discuss matters of mutual interests.
To attend the luncheon hosted by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang
March 22
Will attend the welcome dinner hosted by Nepal’s Ambassador to China Mahesh K Maskey in Beijing
March 24
To address the Boao Forum for Asia on the theme “Asia’s New Future: New Dynamics, New Vision” at Boao, Hinan province of China
March 27
To return home after visiting Chengdu, the capital of southwestern China’s Sichuan province
11.12°C Kathmandu
