BEIJING, May 28 -- Chinese President Xi Jinpingon Thursday sent a congratulatory message to his Nepalese counterpart Ram Baran Yadav on Nepal's Republic Day.

In his message to mark the eighth Republic Day of Nepal, Xi spoke highly of the bilateral ties.

China and Nepal, linked by rivers and mountains, are as close as brothers, Xi said.

The devastating earthquake that struck Nepal has caused tremendous damage and suffering to the Nepalese people, which the Chinese government and people feel as if they had also experienced in person, the Chinese president said.

On April 25, a 7.9-magnitude earthquake hit Nepal. Nearly 9,000 people have lost their lives, with tens of thousands of houses destroyed or damaged in the disaster and ensuing aftershocks.

Pledging China's full support to aid Nepal's disaster relief efforts and help the Nepalese people rebuild their homes, Xi said the destinies of the two countries will become more closely entwined and the friendship between the two peoples will grow stronger in the process.

Xi stressed that China attaches great importance to developing friendly relations with Nepal and appreciates Nepal's long-standing one-China policy.

The Chinese side is ready to work with the Nepalese side to continuously promote the development of the China-Nepal comprehensive partnership and ever-lasting friendship, Xi said.