A day after Nepal approved a new Constitution, China today welcomed the move, saying it hopes to see political stability and economic development in the neighbouring country.
"As a friendly neighbour, China is happy to see that Nepal's Constituent Assembly approved the new constitution," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.
Nepal's Constituent Assembly, constitution-making body, last night overwhelmingly approved a new constitution after seven years of painstaking efforts and deliberations, splitting the country into seven federal provinces.
"[We] support and respect Nepal's choice of social system and development path," Hong said, adding that China looks forward to political stability and economic development in Nepal.
President Ram Baran Yadav is scheduled to unveil the new constitution on September 20. This is the first full-fledged constitution in the Himalayan nation.
The charter was passed by a 507-25 vote in the 601-seat assembly after the voting. Lawmakers raised their hands in celebration after the announcement was made.
The constitution was pushed through the assembly despite protests by ethnic minority groups. It will split Nepal into seven federal provinces. Some ethnic groups have opposed the makeup, borders and size of the provinces.
The country approved an interim constitution in 2007 following the people's movement in 2006 that toppled the 240-year monarchy. Nepal began work on the new constitution in 2008.
