China minister meets Nepal king

No agenda for Li Zhaoxing's visit has yet been released

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing has begun a visit to Nepal, holding talks with King Gyanendra.

He is the most senior foreign official to visit since the king assumed direct control on 1 February.

The king's actions have been criticised internationally and India, the UK and the US have cut military aid.

But China, which has traditionally had good relations with Nepal, has been less critical, describing the changes as an internal matter.

'Cordial'

"I hope my visit will further enhance and promote mutual friendship between China and Nepal," Mr Li told reporters on his arrival in Kathmandu.

Details of the meeting at the royal palace were not disclosed.

However, Nepal's Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey said after his meeting with Mr Li: "The talks were very fruitful and held in a very cordial atmosphere."

Mr Li said: "We have agreed to work together to further promote the mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation between Nepal and China."

The BBC's Sushil Sharma says the Nepalese authorities are attaching a lot of importance to the visit.

Mr Li's visit follows trips by junior ministers from Pakistan and Cuba.

King Gyanendra has been roundly criticised for his move to dismiss the multi-party government and suspend civil liberties.

The king blamed the previous government of failing to tackle an ongoing Maoist insurgency.

About 11,000 people have died since the insurgency was launched 10 years ago with the aim of replacing the monarchy with a communist republic.