Kathmandu, Nov 2 (IANS): China is going to open a cultural centre in Nepal in its bid to augment the cultural bond between the two neighbouring countries, Xinhua news agency said.

Beijing believes that the establishment of a cultural centre in Kathmandu can provide impetus for a better understanding among the people as well as enhance mutual cooperation between the two countries.

The formal process for the centre's opening commenced Thursday as the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at Nepal's ministry of culture, tourism and civil aviation (MoCTCA).

Yajna Prasad Gautam, secretary at Nepal's MoTCA, and Yang Houlan, Chinese ambassador signed the pact on behalf of their respective governments. Also present on this occasion was Nepal's Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Posta Bahadur Bogati.

On this occasion, Nepalese minister Bogati hoped that the new Chinese cultural centre would help both the countries to understand each other culturally and provide recourse to further develop the friendship in a new way.

"The establishment of cultural centre will help reduce cultural distance in hearts of the peoples of the both countries," Houlan said.

Without divulging the exact date for the cultural centre's becoming operational, the Chinese envoy said they were searching for a suitable land to open the centre "very soon".