China positive about Nepal UN centre

The Chinese Defence Minister, Chi Haotian, who is visiting Nepal, has responded positively to Nepal's suggestion to establish a regional United Nations peace-keeping training centre in the kingdom.

The issue was raised during talks with the Nepali Defence Minister, Mahesh Acharya.

Nepal has been lobbying for international support for the centre to be established at Paanchkhaal, about seventy-five kilometres east of Kathmandu, where it trains Nepali peace-keepers working for the United Nations. Nepal has peace-keepers in Lebanon and East Timor.

Mr Chi is the first Chinese defence minister to visit Nepal and the trip comes shortly before King Birendra's visit to China on Feb 26 .

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service