China, Nepal agree to lift relations to new height

Noting that Xi is the first Chinese president to visit Nepal in 23 years, Bhandari said the visit is of historic significance, adding that the two countries' announcement of establishing a strategic partnership of cooperation will consolidate the two countries' traditional friendship, enrich the contents of bilateral ties and usher in a new era for the Nepal-China relationship.

Nepal, she said, respects China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and will never allow any anti-China force to engage in anti-China activities in Nepal, adding that Nepal is willing to actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and the building of a trans-Himalayan connectivity network.

Nepal is the second leg of Xi's two-country trip, which also took him to the southern Indian city of Chennai for an informal meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.