Nepali King visits China

King Birendra of Nepal has gone to China on a week-long tour as part of a series of exchange visits by senior officials of the two countries in recent months.

Nepalese officials say the visit - during which the king will hold talks with the Chinese President, Jiang Zemin - will explore expanding bilateral economic ties.

The foreign minister, Chakra Prasad Bastola - who is accompanying the delegation - said that the King would seek Chinese assistance in building additional road links between Nepal and Tibet to help boost trade.

The King is also scheduled to be guest of honour at the inauguration of a new regional body, the Asian Economic Forum.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service