Minister Pandey: Sport tourism promotes Nepal-China relations

Kathmandu: Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, has viewed sports tourism could be adopted to strengthen Nepal-China relations and intensify the development pace.

Inaugurating the ‘cross country relay’ organized jointly by Pokhara Metropolitan City (PMC), the Chinese Embassy, and the Himalayan Tourism Forum in Pokhara today, Minister Pandey expressed his belief that Chinese tourists enjoy the nature and culture of Nepal.

According to Minister Pandey, the government was planning to observe 2025 as the Nepal-China tourism year, so more Chinese would visit Nepal and the same would be in the case of Nepalis.

Minister Pandey hoped such sports would foster further interaction among Nepali and Chinese people. Moreover, he informed that the government was at work to conduct regular international flights at Pokhara International Airport and systematically run the Korala border point.

Nepal is also a significant destination for religious tourism. Muktinath, Pashupatinath, Lumbini, and Janaki Temple are some must-visit religious sites in Nepal, he reminded. Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, said sports involving athletes from Nepal and China were being organized in various cities of Nepal for two years to strengthen Nepal-China relations.

The next edition of the event would be organized grandly on the occasion of the 70th year of the establishment of Nepal-China diplomatic ties, he added. PMC Mayor Dhanraj Acharya said the sports competition would be instrumental in augmenting Nepal-China tourism activities. Sprint, mountain races, cycle races, trail running, and rowing would be held as part of the competition.

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