China-Nepal relations have become a model of good-neighborly friendship and peaceful coexistence, said Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji in Beijing Monday.
Zhu, also Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), made the remarks in meeting with Chairman Girija Prasad Koirala of the Nepali Congress, and his delegation.
China-Nepal friendship could be dated back 1,500 years, Zhu said.
On the basis of mutual sympathy and support, China was a permanent neighboring friend of Nepal, and was willing to develop long-term stable cooperative relations, he said.
Zhu spoke highly of the friendship between the CPC and the Nepali Congress which played a positive role in maintaining stability and development of south Asia, he said.
Zhu expressed appreciation for Nepal's consistent support on the issues of Tibet, Taiwan and human rights involving China's sovereignty and national interests. The Nepalese government never allowed forces of "Tibetan independence" to carry out activities in its territory and China was grateful, he said.
Girija Prasad Koirala expressed thanks for the support and help of the Chinese people. The Nepali Congress attached great importance to friendly relations with the CPC, and was willing to promote the friendship between the two countries, he said.
(Xinhua News Agency June 3, 2002)
