Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to visit Nepal

KATHMANDU: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao was due to arrive in Nepal Saturday for talks which mark the first visit for a decade by a leader of the world's second largest economy, the government in Kathmandu said.

The agenda for the visit has not been disclosed but analysts expect Wen and Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai to discuss investment from Beijing worth billions of dollars for wide-ranging infrastructure projects.

"We are scheduled to sign agreements on increasing Chinese assistance to Nepal. There will be discussion also on the peace and constitution-making process of Nepal," Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun said.

Wen is also expected to seek support for Beijing's policies in the restive region of Tibet, which has seen a wave of self-immolations over the past year in protest at Chinese rule.

Nepal, home to 20,000 Tibetan exiles, is under pressure to stem the flow of Tibetans fleeing their homeland.