China and Nepal today pledged to expand cooperation in key sectors as Nepalese Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa kicked off a five-day visit to the country, the first high-level visit here from Nepal amid the political crisis over the new Constitution.
Thapa met Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao during which two sides pledged to expand cooperation, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Thapa will hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi tomorrow where he may discuss the crisis faced by Nepal government over the new Constitution by Madhesis, largely of Indian-origin, who have enforced a blockade of goods coming from India.
China has opened its border point with Nepal in Tibet for supplying fuel and essential commodities.
In his talks with Thapa, Li said China is willing to expand cooperation in connectivity, energy, industrial capacity, post-disaster reconstruction and tourism through joint efforts with Nepal's new cabinet.
Hailing the smooth development of bilateral ties and traditional friendship, Li said China supports Nepal's efforts in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and is willing to push comprehensive cooperative partnership to a new high.
Thapa, also Nepal's foreign minister, said that Nepal is now at a critical stage of political and social transition.
The new cabinet will maintain Nepal's long-standing one-China policy, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries and share development opportunities, he said.
Thapa is on an official visit to China from today till December 29.
