Prime Minister meets Hu, Jiabao

Beijing, August 24:

Chinese President Hu Jintao met visiting Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal ahal ‘Prachanda’ here today to exchange views on bilateral relations and the Beijing Olympic Games. Hu welcomed the newly elected prime minister to the Beijing Olympics’ closing ceremony and expressed thanks for the support of the Nepali ...

Prachanda said the Beijing Games had turned over a new leaf in Olympic history and the Nepali people feel proud of the Chinese. China and Nepal are “good neighbours, good friends and good partners”, said Hu. “The two countries have established a good neighbourly partnership and enjoyed friendship generation upon generation,” he added.

The Chinese government respects the path of development chosen by Nepal and supports the Himalayan country’s efforts in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Hu said. He added that the Chinese government was ready to continue to provide every possible help in Nepal’s development and promote the long-term development of the Sino-Nepali good neighbourly partnership. The two countries should maintain close communication and cooperation, in a bid to contribute to regional peace, stability and prosperity, the Chinese president said. Prachanda said his country considered China a reliable friend and expected more help from the Chinese side in order to achieve permanent peace and promote economic development in Nepal.

He said Nepal was willing to cement cooperation with China and take bilateral ties to a new high. During the meeting, the Chinese president thanked Nepal for adhering to the one-China policy and firmly supporting China on the Tibet issue. “Prime Minister has come to the Beijing Olympics’ closing ceremony within a week after being sworn in. 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 said.

Earlier in the day, the visiting dignitary met his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao and the two exchanged views on issues of bilateral interests.