Chinese State Councillor and Defence Minister Wei Fenghe has arrived in Kathmandu on a one-day visit to Nepal.

Wei’s visit will mark the highest level visit from the north since Chinese President Xi Jinping came to Nepal in October last year on a two-day visit.

During his daylong stay in Kathmandu, Wei will call on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who is also the defence minister.

Before wrapping up his visit, Wei will also pay a courtesy call on President Bidya Devi Bhandari and will hold talks with Chief of the Nepal Army, General Purna Chandra Thapa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday while announcing the visit.

According to sources, Wei will visit Bangladesh and Pakistan after completing his Nepal visit.

After arriving, Wei will first head straight to the Chinese embassy from where he will leave for the Nepal Army headquarters to receive a guard of honour and hold delegation level talks with Army Chief Thapa, according to officials familiar with the Chinese official’s itinerary. Thereafter, Wei will meet with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in Baluwatar and pay a courtesy call on President Bhandari at Sheetal Niwas.

The high-level visit from the northern neighbour is taking place days after Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla concluded his two-day visit to Nepal.

Shringla returned on Friday afternoon.

The visit from the north is taking place at a time when the ruling Nepal Communist Party is mired in an internal conflict and Beijing has not concealed its concern over the goings-on in the party.