Nepal expresses gratitude to China for support

KATHMANDU - Nepal appreciated the assistance of its northern neighbor China as a valued development partner and a reliable friend in the wake of the Diamond Jubilee commemoration of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Addressing a commemorative reception hosted by the Nepal government here Saturday evening, Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala thanked the Chinese government for continued goodwill and support to development endeavors of Nepal.

"We are grateful for the spontaneous, generous and prompt support from the government and people of China in the wake of April 25 earthquake and its substantive pledge for reconstruction", PM Koirala said.

China has pledged 3 billion yuan (about $480 million) in aid for quake-stricken Nepal's reconstruction process.

Stating that China's emergence as global powerhouse has created unprecedented opportunities to the neighborhood and beyond, the prime minister expressed confidence that Nepal-China relations will gain further momentum for the interest of people of both countries and world peace and prosperity.

Echoing the prime minister's statement, Nepalese Foreign Minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for its cooperation in diverse areas.

"Nepal-China relationship is time-tested and multi-dimensional which has reached a new height in these 60 years," Foreign Minister Pandey said.

Nepal and China established the diplomatic relations on Aug 1, 1955.

In response, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Wu Chuntai said China and Nepal share the best friendship and it's beneficial to both countries.

Quoting the saying "A friend in need is a friend indeed," the ambassador said, "Our relation is a good example based on the five principles of peaceful co-existence."

On the occasion of 60th anniversary, the Nepal government also published commemorative postal stamps.