China Study Center, a non-governmental academic organization in Nepal, has set up a new branch in the country's mid-western city of Nepalgunj.

The branch will play an effective role in strengthening the relationship between Nepal and China from the local level, chairman of the organization, Madan Regmi, told Xinhua.

"It is this year when we are celebrating the Golden Jubilee of our diplomatic relations. The founding of Nepalgunj Branch is also one of celebrations of amity between our two countries," he said.

According to Regmi, about 40 committee members are working in the newly opened branch including diplomats, doctors and sociologists.

Founded in 2000, China Study Center has already set up 12 branches with over 1,000 members in Nepal's major cities, including Butwal, Biratnagar, Dhulikel, Nepalgunj, Lumbini as well as Chitwan district.

According to Regmi, the center is planning to establish three more such branches in other places of Nepal by the end of this year, bringing the total number of branches nationwide to 25 within one or two years, he added.

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2005)