BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday congratulated his Nepalese counterpart Bidhya Devi Bhandari on Nepal's National Day.

In a congratulatory message, Xi said China and Nepal are close neighbors that enjoy a time-honored friendship.

China supports Nepal's efforts to safeguard national stability and promote economic development, Xi said.

Xi congratulated Bhandari on Nepal's rapid economic development and smooth progress in implementing its political agenda over the past two years.

Xi said he attaches great importance to developing relations with Nepal and is willing to jointly push forward the two countries' comprehensive cooperative partnership with Bhandari.