Kathmandu (AFP)
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Nepal on Saturday for a visit to discuss infrastructure projects related to China's major regional "New Silk Roads" program.
While India - where Xi has just had two days of talks - is traditionally Nepal's main ally, China has recently stepped up its presence in this poor Himalayan country, injecting millions of dollars into projects ranging from road construction to the construction of hydroelectric plants.
Nepal's Minister of Foreign Affairs Pradeep Gyawali said Xi's visit was "of historic significance" for Nepal.
This is the first time in 23 years that a Chinese leader has made a state visit to Nepal.
"Our priority is to create opportunities for Nepal, together with China's development, and we are focusing on connectivity between the two countries," Gyawali said.
Chinese news agency Xin said on Sunday that he wanted to "strengthen China-Nepal relations, increase connectivity between the two countries and generate more benefits" for both peoples. .
In an article signed by him and published Friday in the Nepalese press, Xi said he would work during his visit to "renew the friendship and explore cooperation with my Nepalese friends".
During his two-day visit, the Chinese president is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and other officials.
Nepal acceded in 2017 to the "New Silk Roads" initiative.
Although there has been no official announcement, it is expected that both countries will sign agreements for Chinese investments in highways, tunnels and hydropower projects during the visit. .
According to the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), a Washington-based NGO, at least 18 Tibetans have been arrested in the days leading up to Xi's arrival in Kathmandu. Fourteen of them were still in detention on Saturday, according to the NGO.
About 20,000 Tibetan exiles reside in Nepal. In 1959, China sent its army to Tibet to suppress a revolt against Chinese power.
"There is a strong police presence," a Tibetan told AFP on condition of anonymity. "We were asked to stay at home."
The Nepalese authorities did not want to comment on this information.
© 2019 AFP