Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Finance Krishna Bahadur Mahara is leaving for China on Monday.

According to Mahara’s Press Adviser Tribhuwan Poudel, Mahara will be accompanied by a secretary and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Information about the visit will be disseminated at a press meet scheduled for Sunday 3pm at the Finance Ministry,” said Poudel.

The government on Thursday decided to send DPMs Bimalendra Nidhi and Mahara to India and China as its special representatives to strengthen ties with the two neighbouring countries.

As a special representative of the government, DPM Mahara’s main task in China will be securing Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Kathmandu.

Nepal wants to invite the presidents of both the neighbouring countries, and DPM Nidhi, during his visit to New Delhi—date for which is yet to be finalised—will extend an invitation to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee on behalf of the government.