The first batch of 180 Chinese trekkers arrived in Nepal on an eight-day Poon Hill trekking event after the country was listed among the countries to which outbound group tours for Chinese citizens can travel to on a pilot basis. The move was welcomed by Nepal’s minister for culture, tourism, and civil aviation, Sudan Kirati, who praised the long-standing friendship between the two countries and hopes to take the relationship to new heights. Chinese ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, called the move a sign of China’s good feelings towards Nepal and great emphasis on promoting bilateral tourism cooperation. Nepal’s tourism industry is a key generator of foreign reserves and jobs for the country, and the resumption of outbound group tours by China is hoped to give impetus to its recovery and development.