NT_03Chinese premier Wen Jiabao and his 40-member team concluded their five-hour visit on Saturday afternon, after meeting Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, President Ram Baran Yadav and top leaders of the major parties.

During the brief visit, Nepal and China signed eight agreements. The separate agreements are on concessional Chinese loan to Nepal worth US dollars 750 million for the next three years and budget support worth US dollars 20 million for this year. Agreements were also signed for infrastructure development, cultural programs, upgrade of transit points, assistance for infrastructure development of Nepal Police, assistance for voluntary retirement of the combatants and upgrade of Pokhara airport.

Wen's visit came as a surprise as neither of the governments had made any formal announcement regarding the visit. Security was beefed up in the capital during the Chinese leader's visit and over 200 Tibetan and non-Tibetan nationals were arrested from various areas.

Wen and his team have left for Riayadh.

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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (standing left) and Nepalese Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai (on second right) watch as the officials from their respective countries sign agreements in Kathmandu on 14th January. 2012. China has agreed to provide $750 million to boost economic ties with Nepal. It says the agreement was signed by the two sides under which Beijing will provide economic and technical assistance to strengthen the country's police and the armed police force.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (standing left) and Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai (on second right) watch as the officials from their respective countries sign agreements in Kathmandu. The agreement was signed by the two sides under which Beijing will provide economic and technical assistance to strengthen the country's police and the armed police force.

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