Nepal PM seeks closer China ties

Nepal's Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal began his first official trip to China over the weekend - he left for Xi'an yesterday afternoon after arriving in Lhasa on Saturday.

Chinese assistance on hydropower development and major road projects will top his agenda, Nepal's Kantipur Daily said, quoting Energy Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat, who is accompanying the prime minister during the six-day trip which will also take him to Beijing and Shanghai.

Nepal, who took over as prime minister of the Himalayan nation in May, met with Tibet autonomous region government chairman Qiangba Puncog in Lhasa, according to Nepal media.