Kathmandu, March 23 (IANS): Chinese Defence Minister General Chang Wanquan arrived here on Thursday on a three-day official visit.

This is the first high-profile visit from China to Nepal after Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal took office last August.

China and Nepal are next month conduction joint military drills the dates of which will be announced during Chang's stay, officials said.

Leading a 19-member delegation, Chang arrived in Nepal on the invitation of his Nepali counterpart Defence Minister Bal Krishna Khand after concluding his Sri Lanka visit.

Khand, other senior officials of Nepal's Defence Ministry and Nepal Army personnel welcomed the Chinese Minister upon his arrival. 

General Chang is also scheduled to meet President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Nepal Army Chief General Rajendra Chhetri on Friday.

He is also slated to visit the earthquake-damaged heritage sites and monuments at the Basantapur Durbar area in Kathmandu.