The People's Republic of China and Nepal on Tuesday issued a joint statement.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1955, China and Nepal have withstood changes of the international situation, said the statement. The two countries have always upheld mutual respect, equality, solidarity, mutual assistance and win-win cooperation, setting a fine example of friendly interaction between countries with different social systems and of different sizes, it added. 

The two sides agreed to further accelerate the implementation of the instruments signed and the important consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries, and, on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter including the principle of good neighborliness and friendship. 

They also agreed to strengthen strategic communication, pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and deepen and expand mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields.

Acknowledging the history of mutual support in difficult times, the two sides reiterated their commitment to respecting and accommodating each other's concerns and core interests.

The Nepali side reiterated its firm commitment to the one-China principle. Recognizing that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal Government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, the Nepali side is against "Taiwan independence."

The Nepali side reiterated that Xizang affairs are China's internal affairs, that it will never allow any separatist activities against China on Nepal's soil.

The Chinese side reaffirmed its commitment to the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness and the policy of forging friendship and partnership in the neighborhood. China firmly supports Nepal in upholding its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and respects and supports Nepal's independent choice of a social system and development path that suits its national conditions.

Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" is on an official visit to China from September 23 to 30, 2023 and attended the Opening Ceremony of the 19th Asian Games.

(With input from Xinhua)