Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan on Tuesday afternoon met with
Nepalese Chief of Army Staff Rookmangud Katawal, both vowing to
deepen ties between the two countries and the two armed forces.
Hailing that China and Nepal have enjoyed a long tradition of
friendship, Cao said the bilateral friendly relationship have kept
moving forward healthily and smoothly on the basis of the five
principles of peaceful coexistence for many years.
China respects Nepal's independence, sovereignty and territorial
integrity, supports Nepal's self-determined choice for development
in accordance with its own national conditions, and supports
Nepal's friendly policy towards its neighbors, Cao noted.
China attaches great importance to developing China-Nepal ties
and is willing to make joint efforts with Nepal to continuously
deepen the relations between the two countries and the two armed
forces so as to contribute to regional peace, stability and common
development.
Katawal said Nepal has always seen China as a reliable neighbor
and partner and is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation
with China in order to further promote bilateral relations.
Katawal stressed Nepal will stick to one-China policy from
beginning to end.
(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2008)
