China will always have the back of Nepal in safeguarding national sovereignty and independence and will always be a reliable partner in achieving development and revitalization, Wang Yi, a senior Chinese diplomat, said on Thursday.

Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, made the remarks when meeting with Urmila Aryal, vice chairperson of the National Assembly of Nepal, who came to China to attend the third China Xizang Trans-Himalaya Forum for International Cooperation in Nyingchi, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.

Noting China-Nepal relations have stood the test of changing international circumstances and maintained a healthy and stable development, Wang said that the relationship has set an example of equal treatment and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries different in size.

China will firmly support Nepal in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, choosing the path of development in accordance with its own national conditions, and is ready to continue to provide assistance within its capacity for Nepal's economic and social development, said Wang.

Aryal said that China and Nepal are traditional friends, and their cooperation has kept expanding, making bilateral relations even more significant.

The two sides have always supported each other on issues involving each other's core interests, which is the basis for the development of bilateral ties, she noted, adding that Nepal will firmly pursue the one-China policy and never allow any force to use its territory for any anti-China activities.