Nepal and China agreed on Monday to further promote cooperation and develop friendly relations between the two neighbors.

When meeting with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said his country is willing to deepen bilateral cooperation and push forward relations with China by co-building the China-initiated Belt and Road Initiative.

The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013, is aimed at building a trade, investment and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road trade routes.

The prime minister reiterated Nepal's adherence to the one-China policy, saying no anti-China activities are allowed in the country.

Nepal is opposed to any attempt to contain or thwart China's development, he said.

For his part, Chinese State Councilor Wang said China-Nepal ties have set a model of equal treatment and mutually beneficial cooperation between big and small countries through efforts from both sides.

China will continue to firmly support Nepal in maintaining national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and in exploring own development path commensurate with its national conditions, he said.

Both sides should earnestly implement the consensus reached between leaders of the two countries on the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network, jointly promote the Belt and Road Initiative and boost railway, road, air links as well as cooperation in border crossing, energy and cultural exchanges, Wang added.

China is ready to offer assistance to help Nepal in its socio-economic development and will encourage more Chinese enterprise to investment in Nepal, he said.

FMs meet on further developing ties

Wang arrived in Nepal on Sunday. During his trip, he also met with Nepali Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali on further developing bilateral relations.

During the meeting, Wang said China and Nepal enjoy mutual respect, mutual understanding, mutual trust and mutual support. China is grateful to the Nepali side for the support over issues related to China's core interests and major concerns, and will support Nepal in independently choosing a development path that suits the country.

China supports Nepal in achieving the goal of "Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali," said Wang, adding that China will continue to offer assistance within its ability to facilitate Nepal in social and economic development, and to help Nepal transform from a landlocked country to a land-linked one.

For his part, Gyawali said Nepal always regards China as a good friend and trustworthy partner. Nepal firmly adheres to the one-China policy and will never allow any forces to make use of its soil for anti-China activities.

Nepal supports the Belt and Road Initiative, and will join hands with China to push forward the trans-Himalaya multi-dimensional connectivity, said the Nepali foreign minister.

Nepal is willing to learn from the development experiences of China so as to advance national development, improve the living standards of the Nepali people, and graduate from the status of least-developed country at an early date, he said.

(With input from Xinhua)