China offers to help electricity-starved Nepal

China says it's ready to help develop Nepal's power industry to alleviate severe electricity outages that can last up to 12 hours a day in the Himalayan nation.

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi says his country will provide funding and human resources to train Nepalese professionals in the hydropower sector.

Wang spoke to reporters on Friday during his three-day visit to Nepal, which ends on Saturday.

Nepal is trying to woo investment from its giant neighbors China and India. New Delhi recently offered billions of dollars in both investments and development grants.

China's state-backed Three Gorges International Corp. is negotiating with Nepal over construction of a $1.6 billion power plant over the Seti River in western Nepal that can generate 750 megawatts of electricity.