Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Monday morning.

According to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, during the courtesy call, they exchanged views on further strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation between Nepal and China.

The Chinese ambassador conveyed congratulatory messages to the prime minister on behalf of the Chinese president, vice president and prime minister, adding China will always be with Nepal on the path of stability, development and prosperity.

The prime minister expressed his gratitude for the Chinese cooperation, friendship and brotherhood and wished success and progress to the Chinese President Xi Jinping and the prime minister on his behalf, Prime Minister Dahal’s Chief Personal Secretary Ramesh Malla said in a tweet.

Ambassador Chen, who arrived in Nepal on January 8 to take up his assignment, had presented the letter of credence before President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Friday.

In his remarks upon landing in the Capital, Chen had said he would work towards enhancing China’s ties with Nepal.

China had proposed Chen, one of its senior diplomats, as the new ambassador to Nepal in November. However, Chen’s arrival in Nepal was delayed after he and his wife got infected with Covid-19.

Chen is a familiar face in Nepal’s diplomatic circles as he has in the past been a part of several meetings with Nepali officials.