Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s upcoming visit to China has been officially announced.
In a joint statement released on Friday, the foreign ministries of Nepal and China confirmed the visit, which will take place from December 2 to 5, at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
Prime Minister Oli will be accompanied by his wife, Radhika Shakya.
During his visit, Prime Minister Oli is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as well as hold formal bilateral talks with Premier Li Keqiang.
He will also engage with senior leaders of the Chinese Communist Party.
One of the highlights of the visit will be a keynote address by Prime Minister Oli at Peking University.
A large government delegation, consisting of 39 members, will accompany Prime Minister Oli from Kathmandu to Beijing.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning confirmed the details of the visit, noting that “Nepal’s Prime Minister Oli will pay an official visit to China from December 2 to 5 at the invitation of Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council.”
As part of the preparations, Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has already been sent to China. She has reached Chengdu to lay the groundwork for the visit.
Discussions on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) are also expected during Oli’s visit.
However, due to the ruling coalition partner Nepali Congress’s opposition, immediate implementation of BRI-related projects seems unlikely.
