KATHMANDU: Chinese Defense Minister and State Councilor Wei Fenghe has arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday morning leading a 20-member delegation.
Wei was welcomed by Minister for Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa and other high-ranking officials upon his arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport.
Interestingly, they greeted each other with an elbow bump considering the risk of coronavirus infection.
Making brief remarks after the welcome, Wei clarified that the purpose of his visit was to further strengthen the existing ties between the two countries by enhancing mutual military cooperation.
Wei further that he arrived in Nepal in connection with the implementation of the bilateral understandings.
Stating that there is a strong relationship between China and Nepal, Wei said that he came to Nepal with the aim of taking it to a new height.
“I am confident that the visit will be result-oriented. The visit has been delayed due to COVID-19,” he said, adding that his visit during COVID-19 would be of special significance.
During the visit, Wei will pay courtesy calls on the President and the Prime Minister, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He will also meet with Chief of Army Staff General Purna Chandra Thapa. Wei will leave Kathmandu in the evening.
It may be noted that Defense Minister Wei is the first high-ranking Chinese official to visit Nepal since Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit in October last year.
General Wei, a former rocket force commander with the Chinese military PLA, is the first of four members of the Central Military Commission chaired by President Xi Jinping.
Foreign affairs experts have speculated that northern neighbor China is engaged in micro-management of the political affairs of Nepal, of late.
Comment