KATHMANDU, April 6 -- A Chinese official has expressed readiness to provide China's support in the development of Gautam Buddha's birthplace, Lumbini, during a meeting with Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav.

Wang Zuoan, director of China's State Administration for Religious Affairs, made the remarks when he called on the Nepalese president on Sunday.

On the occasion, Yadav thanked the Chinese government and the people for their continued support in Nepal's socio-economic development, an official at the President's Office told Xinhua.

In a separate meeting between Wang and Nepal's Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Deepak Chandra Amatya on Sunday, the two discussed Nepal-China cooperation in the culture sector, an official at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, told Xinhua.

Wang, who arrived in the Nepalese capital on Sunday for a three- day visit, toured Lumbini on the same day and he is expected to offer donations to the local people on Monday.