Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will arrive here today on a brief stopover en-route to Qatar after a planned tour last month was abruptly postponed apparently over security concerns.

Mr Wen is schedule to arrive at 11 am for a five-hour visit before flying to Qatar, said a source at the Prime Minister’s office.

High security alert is issued and extra-security forces have been mobilised for the visit, a top security official said.

“All the four security agencies, Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police and National Investigation Department have been mobilised for the visiting Chinese leader,” Mr Ratna Raj Pandey, Chief District Officer of Kathmandu District Administration Office, said.

Mr Wen’s visit has been kept secret till last night after his planed three-day visit from December 20 last year was postponed due to security concerns.

Last month, the Chinese Embassy officials had expressed displeasure over the early announcement of the date of the premier’s visit without consulting Beijing. The postponement of the visit had raised question about the government’s diplomatic capability.

Mr Wen is scheduled to call on President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, hold bilateral talks with his Nepalese counterpart, Mr Baburam Bhattarai, and meet other senior government officials and political leaders during the brief stay in Kathmandu.

Nepal government has expressed its commitment not to allow anti-Beijing protests as it has underlined its ‘one-China policy’ and intensified crackdown against Tibetans.

The Nepalese authorities have taken extraordinary steps to enforce security, particularly keeping a close watch on the thousands of Tibetans living here in exile.

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