KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 17 Chief of the Nepali Army General Ashok Raj Sigdel held a courtesy meeting with Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun in Beijing on Wednesday during his formal visit to China, with the two sides discussing matters of mutual interest and bilateral military relations. According to the Nepali Army, Sigdel met Dong during his ongoing visit to China, which began on September 13 at the invitation of the Chinese government. On the same day, Sigdel also visited China's National Defence University in Beijing and attended the opening session of the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, one of the region's major international security and defence conferences. The forum brings together defence officials, military leaders, scholars and security experts to discuss regional and international security issues. Sigdel's visit is scheduled to continue until September 19. The Nepali Army had said before his departure that the visit would help strengthen military relations between Nepal and China and contribute to Nepal's foreign policy through military diplomacy. Sigdel left Kathmandu for Beijing on September 13. Lieutenant General Pradeep Jung KC, then chief of staff of the Nepali Army, assumed the duties of acting army chief during his absence.