Chinese Defence Minister in Nepal

Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe on Sunday began his one day visit to Kathmandu, the highest-level visit after the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Wei, who came with around 20-member delegation was welcomed by the Nepali Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa on his arrival.

"My visit is aimed at enhancing mutual military assistance and strengthening the existing ties between the two countries. Ties between China and Nepal are strong and I am here to take this relationship to a new height. I am confident about having a result-oriented visit", the Chinese minister was quoted as saying by the local media present at the airport.

Mr. Wei said that the visit will promote bilateral military cooperation between Nepal and China, and take the existing friendly relations between the two neighbours to a new height.

According to Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Wei will pay courtesy calls on President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister and Minister for Defence K P Sharma Oli during his brief stay in Kathmandu.

He is also scheduled to hold a delegation-level meeting with Nepal’s Chief of Army Staff General Purna Chandra Thapa.

The visit is significant even as Chinese influence has been seen in Nepali politics.

Chinese envoy to Nepal Hou Yanqi has been meeting with key stakeholder in ruling Nepal communist party, including PM KP Sharma Oli as the party faces a split.

The ruling Nepal Communist Party faces a division with PM Oli threatening to walk away from the alliance with Prachanda.