The Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government and people respect the Nepalese people's choice of social system and development path suited to its own conditions, said a senior CPC official in Beijing on Monday.

Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks at a meeting with Krishna Bahadur Mahara, member of the Central Secretariat of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (CPN-M) and minister of Information and Communication.

Wang voiced his congratulations on the success of the first meeting of the newly elected Nepal's Constituent Assembly (CA) and hoped that parties concerned, including the CPN-M, would continue to push forward the peace process in Nepal so as to ensure peace, stability and development in the country as early as possible.

The first meeting of the CA declared last Wednesday the country a federal democratic republic at the International Conference Center in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu.

Wang spoke highly of the Nepalese government's and different parties' consistent position on issues concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, hoping that the Nepalese side would continue to follow a friendly policy toward China.

Wang said China and Nepal are neighbors and enjoy a traditional friendship.

The CPC had maintained friendly exchanges and contacts with major Nepalese parties and it would further relations with them, said Wang.

Wang also briefed Mahara on China's fight against the severe earthquake that hit southwest China's Sichuan Province on May 12, and expressed his appreciation for the Nepalese side's concern and sympathy.

Mahara expressed once again deep condolences to the victims in the devastating earthquake on behalf of Prachanda, chairman of the CPN-M.

He said the Chinese people would definitely overcome the difficulties and rebuild the hometown under the leadership of the CPC and the Chinese government.

Mahara said CPN-M firmly supported China's stance on Tibet-related issues, and would prevent any forces from doing anti-China activities in Nepal.

Mahara briefed Wang the latest situation in Nepal.

The two sides also exchanged views on party-to-party relations.

(Xinhua News Agency June 3, 2008)