Premier Li Keqiang met with Nepalese Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli in Beijing on June 21, as both sides pledged new development in bilateral relations.

Premier Li said as good neighbors and friends, China and Nepal have a long history of friendly exchanges.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two nations have maintained good relations based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

President Xi Jinping met with the prime minister yesterday, and China is willing to work with Nepal to further promote bilateral relations and cooperation, he added.

Premier Li pointed out the progress of bilateral ties is not only beneficial to the two countries, but also conducive to the region’s peace, stability and prosperity.

China appreciates Nepal’s firm stand on the one-China policy, respects Nepal in choosing its own social system and developing route, and supports its independence, sovereignty and legitimate interests.

China is willing to work with Nepal to improve the functions of existing ports, constructing an interconnected transportation network through projects such as roads, railways and airlines.

The two countries should advance cooperation in trade, production capacity and investment by giving full play to their complementary advantages.

China also hopes conveniences can be provided for Chinese enterprises investing and starting businesses in Nepal.

Premier Li also said he expected to launch negotiation on the free trade agreement as soon as possible to achieve better win-win outcomes.

Against the background of regional uncertainties increasing worldwide, both countries uphold multilateralism and free trade, so China is willing to enhance communication with Nepal in multilateralism organizations, such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to protect common interests, the Premier added.

Oli said China and Nepal have maintained long-term and close relations. Both nations adhere to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and respect each other’s core interests and major concerns.

Nepal firmly adheres to the one-China policy, and will never allow any forces to engage in any anti-China activities on Nepalese territory, he said.

Oli said Nepal admires China’s active role in international political and economic affairs, and appreciates China’s neighborhood diplomacy featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and its proposition of building a community of shared future for mankind.

Nepal is willing to further strengthen bilateral relations with China, expand pragmatic cooperation, enhance cooperation on transportation and communication, and enhance communication on regional and international issues to promote more progress in bilateral ties.

Both leaders agreed to conduct consultations on signing protocol on transit transportation at an early date.

After the meeting, both leaders witnessed the signing of a number of cooperation documents on politics, transportation, infrastructure, capacity and economic technologies.

Before the meeting, Premier Li held a welcoming ceremony for Oli.

Li Bin, vice-chairperson of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, also attended the meeting.