President Xi Jinping said on Saturday that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Nepal relations and is willing to work with his Nepali counterpart, Bidhya Devi Bhandari, to push for the continued advancement of bilateral relations.

In an exchange of congratulatory messages on the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Xi also said he is ready to work with Bhandari to bring greater benefits to the two peoples and make positive contributions to regional stability and development.

He pointed out that the friendship between China and Nepal has a long history, saying that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 65 years ago, the two countries have always respected each other, treated each other as equals, enhanced political mutual trust and deepened mutually beneficial cooperation.

Noting that he and Bhandari exchanged visits last year and elevated the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership of cooperation featuring everlasting friendship for development and prosperity, Xi said the two sides have stuck together through thick and thin and stood shoulder to shoulder in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak, and have written a new chapter in the friendship between China and Nepal.

In her congratulatory message, Bhandari said that Nepal-China friendship has a long history and a solid foundation.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, bilateral relations have developed and deepened significantly, she said, adding that Nepal welcomes the China-proposed vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind and actively participates in cooperation on the building of the Belt and Road.

Expressing Nepal's appreciation for China's effective measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and sincere gratitude for China's invaluable support to Nepal in its epidemic battle, Bhandari said Nepal is ready to work with China to fully implement the broad consensus reached by the two heads of state in order to benefit the two countries and peoples.

The number of COVID-19 cases in Nepal surpassed the 20,000-mark on Saturday, according to Nepal's Ministry of Health and Population.

Premier Li Keqiang and Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli also exchanged congratulatory messages on Saturday.

Xinhua