Nepal visit expected to strengthen relationship

Nepal expects President Xi Jinping's state visit to boost the confidence of people in the two countries and promote bilateral cooperation in such areas as people-to-people exchanges, connectivity and energy, said Leela Mani Paudyal, Nepal's ambassador to China, ahead of the weekend visit.

This is the first visit by a Chinese president to Nepal in 23 years.

"That's why Nepalese people are looking forward to this visit with high expectations," Paudyal said, adding that it will be a historic visit that significantly upgrades the bilateral relationship to reach new heights.