KATHMANDU, March 24 (Xinhuanet) -- A ten-member Chinese delegation will visit Nepal next week in a bid to expedite the process of operating direct passenger bus service between Kathmandu and Lhasa,a Nepali government official said here Saturday.

    "The main aim of their visit is to conduct a spot investigation of the driving route, road condition, accommodation facilities, fueling and repair centers along the route," B. Sharad Adhikari, director of Transport Management Department, told reporters.

    The officials from the two sides will also convene a three-day meeting to forge understanding on various unresolved issues to pave way for early starting of the bus service, Adhikari said.

    "More discussions will be held in order to settle some minor disputes to expedite the process of operating the bus service, which is expected to begin from May 1," he said.

    The Nepali government will notify the Chinese delegation about appointment of Tibet Gurkha Trade Company, a private bus service provider which has been conferred the license to operate in the route under the emblem of Sajha Yatayat, Nepal's state-owned transport company, he revealed.

    Nepal and China signed the agreement on Oct. 29 last year to operate the direct passenger bus service between Nepal's capital and Lhasa city of China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Enditem