"Celebrating Chinese New Year in Nepal is a reflection of the deep relationship between the two countries," said Dipak Khadka, Nepal's minister for energy, water resources and irrigation.

Addressing the launch ceremony, the minister noted that Nepal Visit Year is one of the events scheduled to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

"Being our very close neighbor, I would like to recall the support China has provided in Nepal's tourism, energy, agriculture and other sectors," he added.

An exhibit of lanterns, art performances and a football match, among others, will be held in Nepal to mark the Spring Festival, which falls on Jan 29 this year.

The Spring Festival was listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity in early December.