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International Liaison Department head of the Chinese Communist Party Liu Jianchao, who is on a four-day visit to Nepal, called on Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka on Sunday.

During the meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the duo discussed further strengthening bilateral ties between Nepal and China, read a statement issued by the Ministry today.

International Liaison Department head of the Chinese Communist Party Liu Jianchao, who is on a four-day visit to Nepal, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on  Sunday.

During the meeting, the duo discussed bilateral ties between Nepal and China and the message of Chinese President Xi Jinping, it has been learnt.

Leading an eight-member delegation, Liu arrived in Kathmandu this morning.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said language, literature, culture and drama are the treasures of the nation.

In his address to an award distribution ceremony organised by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation at Nepal Academy today, the Prime Minister said, "Language, literature and culture reflect our civilisation, are the heritages of national pride and such heritages have their contribution to enhancing the nation's image."

He said, "Nation's language, culture, art, music and drama are our civilisation, culture and national identities and being based on the same, we have been able to earn our distinct identity internationally, too." The Prime Minister stressed the need of recognising those contributing to the creations of language and culture from the State-level which also encourages a new generation to get involved in creative works.

He also said that he was hopeful that those winning the awards on the occasion would give their best to the respective field in the future too. As the Prime Minister said, the government is always ready to help for the development of the relevant sector.

On the occasion, 43 people had won awards including National and Provincial Talent Award, Mahakavi Laxmi Prasad Devkota Award, Bhagat Sarbajeet Manab Maryada National Award, Gopal Prasad Rimal National Award and Itihas Shiromani Baburam Acharya Award under various nine genres.

Ram Bahadur Baniya of the CPN-UML has been elected as the mayor of Budhiganga Municipality. He garnered 4,777 votes. 

He defeated his closest contender Ranga Bahadur Nepali of Nepali Congress with a margin of 1, 003 votes.  Khati got 3, 774 votes. 

Similarly, UML’s Maya Khadka has been elected as the deputy mayor of the municipality, securing 4, 727 votes. 

Her nearest rival Rita Shahi obtained 3, 755 votes. 

The re-election was held in the Municipality on Thursday following a complaint of election rigging in the local level elections on May 13.