Chinese foreign minister to visit Nalanda

Patna, Feb 11 (UNI) Foreign Minister of Communist China Li Zhaoxing is scheduled to arrive here late tonight on a brief visit to Nalanda, a Buddhist pilgrimage spot to participate in the opening ceremony of Xuan Zang memorial hall.

Detracking from the normal practice of keeping out religious places from the itinerary of political dignitaries from communist countries, Mr Zhaoxing chose the religious tourist spot in view of its historical importance from the perspective of Indo-China relationship.

A joint venture of India and China, the hall is dedicated to the memory of seventh century Chinese tourist to India who stayed at Nalanda for five years studying Buddhist religion and culture.

Official sources here said that Mr Zhaoxing would stay at a posh hotel in Patna tonight and leave for Nalanda, 90 kms away by road accompanied by among others administrator in religious affairs department of China Xue Cheng and deputy Director General of the country's national tourism administration, Zhang Xiqin.

Union Tourism Minister Ambika Soni, Bihar governor and Chief Minister R S Gavai and Nitish Kumar respectively would also take part in the opening ceremony of the hall.

UNI