BEIJING, June 29 -- China welcomes Nepal to act as the guest of honor of Lanzhou Fair, and the two countries will continue to maintain contact regarding the attendance of Nepali high-level representatives, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said Thursday.

The 23rd Lanzhou Investment and Trade Fair, with a theme highlighting the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), will run from July 6 to 9.

China and Nepal are friendly neighbors, Lu told a daily press briefing, and the two countries had recently held a productive diplomatic consultation meeting.

Lu said that according to the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries, both sides are expected to promote cooperation in connectivity, free trade arrangements and post-disaster reconstruction.

China and Nepal have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral cooperation under the framework of the BRI earlier this year.

Taking advantage of the opportunities provided by the BRI, China is willing to push forward the comprehensive cooperative partnership featuring ever-lasting friendship with Nepal, said Lu.