Chinese Defence Minister arrives on 3-day visit; China to equip Nepal Army for disaster management

Kathmandu / March 23: Chinese Defence Minister and State Councilor General Chang Wanquan arrived here today on a three-day official visit.

He is leading a 19-member delegation and visiting Nepal at the invitation of Defence Minister Bal Krishna Khand.

The Chinese dignitary was welcomed at the Tribhuvan International Airport by Minister for Defence Khand and Defence Secretary Shreedhar Sapkota.

He is paying a courtesy call on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the latter’s official residence at Baluwatar in a short while today. Defence Minister Khand and his Chinese counterpart will hold talks at the Ministry of Defence today. During the meeting, the two sides are expected to strengthen military and security cooperation.

General Chang is also scheduled to meet President Bidya Devi Bhandari at the President House, Shital Niwas on Friday. Also on Friday, he will meet with Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bimalendra Nidhi.

He is also scheduled to observe the earthquake damaged heritage sites and monuments at the Basantapur Durbar area.

China to equip Nepal Army for disaster management

Meanwhile, the Chinese government has expressed commitment to assisting Nepal Army with training and equipment for the development projects and disaster management.

The visiting Chinese Defense Minister General Chang Wanquan expressed such commitment during a meeting with Minister for Defense Balkrishna Khand.

Minister Khand shared that the Chinese Defense Minister was currently on a three-day visit in Nepal. During the meeting with him, issues as assistance to Nepal Army for construction activities and training, and transfer of skills in disaster management were discussed.

The Chinese side assured that it would provide the equipments as demanded by Nepal government for strengthening Nepal Army, added Minister Khand, informing that China was for continuing support to Nepal’s development endeavor.

According to him, although discussion was held on conducing a joint military exercise between Nepal Army and the Chinese Army in course of the exchange of the military assistance for security management especially in the northern Himalayan region, glacial lake and related disaster management, the date for the joint exercise would be fixed later. RSS