China on Sunday offered to provide "every possible help" to Nepal for its stability and development as Beijing accorded a red carpet welcome to Prime Minister Prachanda
BEIJING: China on Sunday offered to provide "every possible help" to Nepal for its stability and development as Beijing accorded a red carpet welcome to Prime Minister Prachanda who described the communist giant as a "reliable" friend on his maiden foreign visit.
Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao met separately with Pushpa Kamal Dahal or "Prachanda" and promised reciprocal cooperation in various fields between the two neighbouring nations.
China and Nepal are "good neighbours, good friends and good partners" Hu said, noting that "the two countries have established a good neighbourly partnership and enjoyed friendship generation upon generation."
"Mr Prime Minister has come to the Beijing Olympics' closing ceremony within a week after being sworn in," Hu said, referring to Prachanda's election as Prime Minister on August 18.
"This fully demonstrates the great attention Nepal attaches to relations with China and its profound friendship with the Chinese people. We highly appreciate that," Hu told Prachanda, the head of the Maoists, who has departed from tradition where India has been the first port of call for most previous top Nepalese leaders.
The Chinese government respects the social system and path of development chosen independently by the Nepalese and supports their efforts in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity, Hu said.
The Chinese government is ready to continue to provide every possible help in Nepal's economic and social development and promote the long-term and stable development of Sino-Nepalese good neighbourly partnership, Hu said.
The two countries should maintain close communication and cooperation, in a bid to contribute to regional peace, stability and prosperity, Hu, also General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China, said.
He also welcomed Prachanda to the Olympics Games closing ceremony and expressed thanks for Kathmandu's support on it.
Prachanda, who arrived here Saturday night on a five-day visit, said the Beijing Games have turned over a new leaf in Olympic history and the Nepalese people feel proud for the Chinese.
Prachanda said his country takes China as a "reliable friend" and expects more help from them in order to achieve permanent peace and promote economic development in Nepal, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
He said Nepal is willing to cement cooperation with China and elevate bilateral ties to a new high.
During the meeting, the Chinese president thanked Nepal for adhering to the 'one-China' policy and firmly supporting Beijing on the Tibet issue.
Prachanda assured Hu that Nepal will firmly keep to the one-China policy on the Tibet issue and will never allow any activity detrimental to China's interests in its territory.
Earlier, Chinese Premier Wen also held a separate meeting here with Prachanda, discussing bilateral relations and the Olympic Games.
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