Nepal to Continue Friendship With China: PM

Nepali Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said Thursday that Nepal will continue its friendly relationship with China and will not allow any anti-China activities in Nepal.

"Nepal and China are close neighbors and have a long friendship. So, we will not allow any kind of anti-China activities based in Nepal," Koirala told a visiting Chinese government delegation.

"This is my commitment, and my party's commitment," he added. The Chinese delegation led by State Councilor Ismail Aymat is for a five-day goodwill visit from May 24 to 28.

Koirala also urged further development of trade and economic relations between Nepal and China.

"As close neighbors, Nepal and China have common interests. This will contribute to more solid ties between the two countries, "he said. "If we join hands to develop trade and tourism, people of both countries, especially Nepal, will benefit a great deal."

Speaking on the occasion, Ismail expressed the appreciation on behalf of the Chinese government for Nepal's commitment to sticking to one-China policy and its support to China on issues of Tibet and Taiwan.

"The consecutive Nepali governments have recognized that Tibet and Taiwan are integrated parts of China. We highly appreciate this stand," Ismail said.

"As close and good neighbors, China and Nepal have no pending problems, and have always supported each other on international forum," he said, "So, our friendship can be seen as a good example of cordial relations between countries of different social systems. "

Ismail said since the two countries have been cooperating in political, economic and cultural fields for hundreds of years, there are great potentiality to further promote the cooperation, especially in trade and economic ties.

"We are positive in developing trade and economic cooperation, as it is in the interests of both countries," he said.



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