Whatever changes to take place in the world and the region will definitely not alter China's good-neighboring policy toward Nepal and China is ready to keep close cooperation with Nepal so as to advance bilateral relations to a new high.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao made these remarks during his meeting with Parasu Narayan Chaudhary, visiting chairman of Raj Parishad of Nepal, and his party in Beijing Tuesday.

Nepal is China's important neighbor and the people of both nations have always been in friendly contact, Wen said, and bilateral friendship and cooperation have developed smoothly since the forging of their diplomatic ties 49 years ago, with a frequent exchange of high-level visits.

"Sino-Nepalese ties are featured as mutual trust, support, cooperation and friendliness," acknowledged Wen.

He went on to say that Chinese government is committed to the guidelines of treating neighbors as friends and partners, adding that China attaches importance to its relations with Nepal on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence and the principle of treating all nations, big or small, as equals.

Chaudhary said that the frequent, high-level exchange of visits between Nepal and China enhances bilateral relations. Nepal adheres to one-China policy, and opposes anybody to engage in anti-China activities by taking advantage of Nepal, he added.

He expressed gratitude to China for its assistance to Nepal during the latter's economic and social construction, and pledged to go on working with China to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation in all fields.

(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2004)