Kathmandu, May 13

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Ramesh Lekhak, Minister for Information and Communications Surendra Kumar Karki and other members of a Nepali delegation attended a welcome reception hosted by Ambassador of Nepal to the People’s Republic of China Leela Mani Paudyal at the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing today.

The DPM, two ministers and other delegation members are in Beijing to attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation on May 14 and 15.

Addressing the reception, DPM Mahara expressed happiness over the recently signed MoU on Belt and Road Initiative and mentioned that he will deliver speech in a thematic session on Connectivity of Development Policies and Strategies tomorrow.

He stated that after joining the Belt and Road Initiative Nepal will have more opportunities to promote foreign investment, improve connectivity and develop infrastructures, among others.

The DPM further said the expected benefits, especially infrastructure development, market access and tourism would be possible after connecting Nepal to China transport network.

He thanked the government and people of China for continuous support to Nepal in social and economic development endeavour and assured of the Government of Nepal’s commitment on One-China Policy. Welcoming the DPM and his delegation at the embassy, Ambassador Paudyal highlighted the importance of joining the Belt and Road Initiative and also briefed the delegation on activities carried out by the embassy in the past.

There were over 100 participants in the reception including the friends of Nepal, members of Nepali community in China, business entrepreneurs, academicians, media persons and the embassy staff, the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing stated in a press release.

Earlier, the DPM, two ministers and his delegation were warmly received at the Beijing Capital International Airport by the Nepali ambassador and officials of the Government of China.