Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pande, expressing his views at the 'cross country relay' organized in Pokhara on Saturday. (Photo: RSS)
Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pande, 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), Chinese Embassy and the Himalayan Tourism Forum in Pokhara today, Minister Pande expressed his belief that Chinese tourists enjoy the nature and culture of Nepal.
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, according to him.
Minister Pande 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 run the Korala border point in a systematic manner.
Nepal is also a significant destination of religious tourism. Muktinath, Pashupatinath, Lumbini and Janaki Temple are some must visit religious sites of Nepal, he reminded.
Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, said sports involving athletes from Nepal and China were being organized at various cities of Nepal for two years to strengthen Nepal-China relations.
Next edition of the event would be organized in a grand manner on the occasion of 70th year of establishment of Nepal-China diplomatic ties, he added.
PMC Mayor Dhanraj Acharya said the sport competition would be instrumental to augment Nepal-China tourism activities.
Sprint, mountain race, cycle race, trail running and rowing would be held as part of the competition.
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