KATHMANDU — Nepal and China have pledged to further develop their ties as Nepal expressed its willingness to join China’s Belt and Road initiative.

When meeting with visiting Defense Minister and State Councilor Chang Wanquan on March 23, Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal highly appreciated China’s neighborhood diplomacy featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness.

He also thanked China for its assistance to Nepal’s socio-economic development and national defense, especially the Chinese aid for post-quake reconstruction after a devastating earthquake hit the Himalayan nation in 2015.

“Nepal is committed to the one-China policy and it will always stand against anti-Chinese activities. Nepal is keen to be a partner of the Belt and Road initiative,” the prime minister said.

The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative, known as Belt and Road initiative, was proposed by China in 2013 with the aim of building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along ancient trade routes.

For his part, Chang appreciated Nepal’s strong support to China in regard to its “core interest” issues of Taiwan and Tibet.

Chang further said leaders from both sides have reached consensus on deepening bilateral ties, which has pointed out direction of development of relations between the two countries and two militaries.

China is ready to join hands with Nepal to further promote their comprehensive partnership of cooperation so as to benefit the two peoples, he added.

Also on March 23, the defense minister and his Nepali counterpart Balkrishna Khand met to discuss ways to strengthen military cooperation between the two sides.

Both sides agreed to implement consensus reached between leaders of the two countries, maintain high-level military exchanges, tighten border control, and deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields.

The minister arrived here on March 23 for a three-day visit.