Chinese premier Wen Jibao in surprise visit to Nepal

Jan 14, 2012, 10:04 GMT

Kathmandu - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in neighbouring Nepal on Saturday on a previously unannounced visit.

Security had been steeped-up heavily across the capital, in view of the possible protests by Tibetan exiles.

The visit is the highest diplomatic visit by a Chinese official since Premier Zhu Rongji's visit in 2001.

Jiabao, who arrived an hour behind schedule, headed to the prime minister's office after landing, where he held talks with his Nepalese counterpart Baburam Bhattarai.

'The two sides are likely to sign deals on infrastructure development, economic development, and hydro-power,' said Finance Minister Barshaman Pun. 'Talks will also dwell on China's potential assistance to Nepal's peace process.'

Local media were barred from covering the event, with an official government statement due later in the day.

The visit comes at a time when Nepal's attempts at formalising a written constitution, and peace process had hit a roadblock.

Jiabao was expected to leave for Qatar late Saturday, wrapping up a five hour visit to Nepal.

About 20,000 Tibetan refugees live in Nepal, according to government statistics, but thousands more are there as undocumented migrants. In 2011, two of them attempted self-immolation to protest Chinese rule over Tibet.

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