President hails Nepal's participation in BRI

China and Nepal should strengthen cooperation on infrastructure construction and continue to promote the construction of the China-Nepal cross-border economic cooperation zone, President Xi Jinping said in Beijing on Monday.

Xi made the remark during his meeting with his Nepali counterpart, Bidhya Devi Bhandari, who is on a nine-day state visit to China.

China greatly values its ties with Nepal, and supports Nepal in maintaining its national independence, state sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as exploring a path of development that suits its national conditions, Xi said.

Also, China appreciates Nepal's firm and long-standing support over issues related to China's core interests and major concerns and its active participation in jointly building the Belt and Road, Xi said. He added that China will continue to support Nepal's economic and social development.

Xi also called for the two countries to further enhance exchanges between their legislatures, political parties, youth, think tanks, media and local authorities to cement their people's support for friendly bilateral ties.

Bhandari said the joint building of the Belt and Road is a historic initiative and has an important global influence.

The initiative has served as a good platform for Nepal-China cooperation, she said.

The Nepali president expressed her congratulations on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and said it is admirable what the Chinese people have achieved under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.

China is a true friend of Nepal, and Nepal sees opportunities in China's prosperity and stability, Bhandari said.

She added that Nepal sticks to the one-China policy and will not allow any forces to use its territory to conduct any anti-China activities.

The two leaders witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents after the meeting.

China is now Nepal's biggest source of foreign investment, second-largest trade partner and second-largest source of foreign tourists.

Ahead of the First Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, China and Nepal signed a memorandum on Belt and Road cooperation in May 2017.