President Bhandari in Shanxi Province of China in course of he state visit

China, April 24: President Bidya Devi Bhandari, who is on the State Visit to China at the invitation of her Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, has reached Xi’an of Shanxi Province today.

President Bhandari was welcomed there at Xi’an Xianyang International Airport by Vice Governor of Shaanxi Province; Nepal’s Ambassador to China, Leela Mani Paudyal; Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi and high ranking officials of Shaanxi Province.

Earlier President Bidya Devi Bhandari was seen off at the VVIP lounge of the Tribhuvan International Airpor by Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, House Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Chairperson of National Assembly Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Ishwor Pokharel and Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa.

Meantime, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has said President Bhandari is scheduled to address the Second Belt and Road Forum.

Delegation-level bilateral talks will be held between President Bhandari and her Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during the visit, which will be followed by an agreement signing ceremony. The Foreign Ministry has further stated that the President will hold separate meetings with senior Chinese leaders.

While returning home, President Bhandari will visit Lhasa as well.

In her entourage, President Bhandari is accompanied by Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, State-3 Chief Minister Dormani Poudel, members of Federal Parliament, high government officials, Nepali Ambassador to China, representatives from private sector and media persons. President Bhandari will return home on May 2.

Meanwhile, the office of president has stated that President Bidya Devi Bhandari has assigned Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun to carry out the functions performed by the President, during her absence.