Nepal plans to attract some 120,000 Chinese tourists by the end of 2005, said Sarvendra Nath Shukla, Nepal's Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

During his visit to China, Shukla said when the bilateral civil aviation agreement takes effect, the airlines of both countries would be able to offer more direct flights to more cities.

The Nepalese embassy in China has also begun to exempt visa fees for Chinese tourists.

(eastday.com August 26, 2003)