Nepali high-ranking officials and visiting Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan on Thursday agreed to promote the two countries' traditional friendship and expand their cooperation in various fields.

 

Nepali Vice Chairmen of the Council of Ministers Tulsi Giri and Kirti Nidhi Bista met in Kathmandu with Tang, who arrived here Thursday on a three-day official visit to Nepal.

 

Giri said Nepal and China enjoy traditional friendship, adding that after the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have made great progress in strengthening understanding and cooperation.

 

Nepal firmly supports the one-China policy and will never allow any anti-China activities in Nepal's territory, Bista said

 

Tang said the China-Nepal friendship has been a model for countries with different social systems.

 

The two sides agreed to further cooperation in economy, trade, culture and education for the benefit of the two peoples.

 

Tang will meet with Nepali King Gyanendra on Friday.

 

Minister for Foreign Affairs Ramesh Nath Pandey will also pay a courtesy call on Tang on Friday.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 17, 2006)