Yuan Jiajun, a politburo member of the Communist Party of China, paid a courtesy call on President Ramchandra Paudel at the President’s Office on Sunday.

Paudel’s foreign affairs expert Suresh Chalise informed that issues of bilateral relations and mutual interests were discussed in the meeting.

According to a statement issued by the Office of the President following the meeting, President Paudel expressed his belief that Nepal and China have historically been good neighbours and this kind of high-level visits will help strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

Yuan arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday on a three-day visit to Nepal leading a 26-member delegation at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song and delegation members were also present in the meeting. Foreign affairs expert Chalise, President's Office Secretary Dilliram Sharma and China Desk Chief Lok Bahadur Thapa of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also present.

Meanwhile, Yuan held a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is on a week-long visit to Italy.

On Sunday, Yuan also called on acting prime minister and Minister for Defense Purna Bahadur Khadka.

A statement issued by the Defence Ministry said that Minister Khadka thanked the Chinese leader for the cooperation extended by the Chinese Army in enhancing the capacity of the Nepali Army.

As per the statement, Yuan said that the primary purpose of his visit to Nepal is to successfully implement various projects and programmes that were agreed upon during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2019.

Mentioning that there is a good relationship between the Nepal Army and China’s People’s Liberation Army, the visiting Chinese leader said that there will be more cooperation in the field of training and capacity building in the future, reads the statement.

Yuan also thanked Nepal for its stance regarding the one-China policy and praised Nepal’s commitment not to allow any anti-China activities in its territory.

Prior to arriving in Kathmandu, Yuan visited Sri Lanka where he met several Sri Lankan leaders, including former president Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Ahead of Yuan’s visit, a CPC delegation arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday to lay the ground for the Chinese leader’s visit.

Besides meeting party leaders, the Chinese delegation is likely to invite Nepal’s participation to the “Belt and Road (Chongqing) International Consumer Goods Expo” being co-hosted by the Supply and Marketing Cooperation Industry Branch of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the China Cooperation Times. The event is scheduled to be held at the Chongqing International Expo Centre from September 22 to 24.