Nepali and Chinese leaders on Friday exchanged congratulatory messages on the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Senior leaders of both the nations, including heads of state, prime ministers, and foreign ministers, emphasised the enduring ties of friendship, mutual respect, and cooperation that have defined Nepal-China relations over the decades.

President Ramchandra Paudel extended heartfelt congratulations to his Chinese counterpart President Xi Jinping, conveying best wishes to the government and the people of China.

In his message, President Paudel highlighted the “time-tested friendship grounded in mutual trust, sovereign equality and peaceful coexistence” and expressed a strong commitment to working closely with China to realise a shared vision of “peace, progress, and prosperity.”

Likewise, Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his reciprocal message, remarked on the deep-rooted cultural and historical connections between the two neighbours.

He praised the “healthy and steady development” of bilateral relations, especially under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Nepal Strategic Partnership of Cooperation Featuring Ever-lasting Friendship for Development and Prosperity.

President Xi reaffirmed China’s readiness to deepen cooperation across sectors and enhance regional peace and development.

Xi also emphasised the need for collaboration between the two sides to carry forward traditional friendship, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, promote China-Nepal relations to better benefit the peoples of both countries, and contribute to regional peace and development.

Similarly, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli called for greater cooperation between Nepal and China in his message to President Xi and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

Oli expressed Nepal’s appreciation for China’s consistent support. Recalling past high-level visits, including the historic 2019 state visit of President Xi to Nepal, Prime Minister Oli underscored the significance of continued collaboration in cross-border connectivity, infrastructure, trade, transit, disaster preparedness, agriculture, health, and green energy.

He reiterated Nepal’s commitment to the ‘One China Principle’, while expressing admiration for China’s “transformative achievements” under President Xi’s leadership, which he said have inspired Nepal’s own aspirations for a “Prosperous Nepal, happy Nepali.”

In his message to Premier Li, Prime Minister Oli emphasised the importance of enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation rooted in the “five principles of peaceful coexistence”, mutual trust, and respect.

He has also expressed the commitment of the Nepali side to implementing bilateral understanding and agreements reached in the past to generate real benefit for the people of the two countries.

In response, the Chinese Premier said that China-Nepal relations have maintained sound and steady growth and cooperation in various areas since the establishment of diplomatic relations and brought benefits to the people of the two countries.

He has said that China stands ready to work with Nepal, accelerating high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and other assistance in various fields, constantly advancing the progress in China-Nepal Strategic Partnership of Cooperation Featuring Ever-lasting Friendship for Development and Prosperity.

Similarly, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, in her message to her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, highlighted the ecological, cultural, social, political and developmental ties between the two countries. The foreign minister has appreciated China for its support in Nepal’s development endeavours. She has also expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation with China in mutually beneficial areas including in building resilience against transboundary climate threats.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang echoed these sentiments, lauding the traditional friendship between the two nations and highlighting their ongoing cooperation based on equality and mutual benefit.

He reaffirmed China’s commitment to working with Nepal to implement prior bilateral agreements and deepen the strategic partnership.

Nepal and China officially established diplomatic relations in 1955 and have since maintained a strong and amicable relationship marked by consistent high-level exchanges, cultural connectivity, and regional cooperation.