Nepali Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey will hold talks on bilateral issues with his Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing, who is scheduled to pay an official visit to Nepal on March 31 - April 1, a high-ranking Nepali official said Tuesday in Kathmandu.

"Pandey's talks with Li is expected to focus on bilateral matters, including economic cooperation, trade and tourism, and other matters of mutual interest," Kirti Nidhi Bista, vice-chairman of the Council of Ministers, or cabinet, told reporters.

Li's official visit, at the invitation of Pandey, will help further strengthen the existing bilateral relations between the two countries, Bista said.

During his 24-hour visit in Kathmandu, the Chinese foreign minister will meet with Nepali King Gyanendra and two vice chairmen of the Council of Ministers Tulsi Giri and Bista.