Chinese President Xi Jinping has said the Chinese people will not forget the contributions of Nepali Congress (NC) to the China-Nepal relationship during the party's reign.
Meeting NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba on the first day of his two-day state visit on Saturday, he noted that NC enjoys a historical connection with China and expressed readiness to conduct exchanges and cooperation.
Xi said that China and Nepal, as friendly neighbors, have always been good brothers and good friends, adding that no matter which Nepali party is in power, the two countries will maintain stable and friendly relations.
The Chinese leader said the Communist Party of China (CPC) is willing to maintain contacts with NC, and further carry out exchanges and cooperation.
Deuba reminded that the last Nepal visit of a Chinese president happened when Jiang Zemin visited during his reign in 1996. He stressed that the Nepali side attaches great importance to developing relations with China, and thanked China for long-term assistance in Nepal's development and its efforts to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He reiterated Nepal's firm adherence to the one-China policy, and assured Nepal will never allow any forces to engage in anti-China activities on Nepali soil.
He said he hopes to promote connectivity with the region through the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.
He also added that NC is ready to advance friendly interactions with the CPC.
