Kathmandu, April 19 Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Gyawali today said that China was a real and trusted friend for Nepal, which was demonstrated in the aftermath of the earthquake. Addressing a round table organised by China Reform Forum in Beijing, Minister Gyawali said that relations between the two countries are based on the five principles of peaceful coexistence and their sincere pursuit by both countries had made them trusted friends and reliable partners. He lauded the prompt support and assistance Nepal received from China for rescue and relief as well for reconstruction. “Nepali people recall the generous support accorded by the Chinese people and government, be it for any natural or man-made crisis Nepal faced or be it for the socio-economic development of the country,” said Gyawali. He said people-to-people relations were growing equally fast and also reiterated Nepal’s one China policy and commitment not to allow anti-Chinese activities on Nepali soil. According to Gyawali, relationship between the two countries is marked by mutual trust, understanding, goodwill, cooperation and appreciation of and respect for each other’s concerns and sensitivities. “We admire China’s neighbourhood diplomacy guided by the principles of sincerity, amity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. Nepal also attaches highest importance to its relations with neighbours,” he added. He said there were several areas under the Belt and Road Initiative in the fields of trade, commerce and investment which held great promise for co-operation between Nepal and China.               “There are high hopes in Nepal on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) put forward by President Xi Jinping, he said, adding that the BRI aimed at peace and prosperity in the region and beyond, which had far-reaching implications for the development of its neighbours. Stating that infrastructural deficiencies had prevented the full potential of trade, commerce and people to people contacts between the second largest economy of the world,  China and Nepal from being fully realised, he said the incumbent government gave top priority to promoting connectivity between the two countries. Gyawali said both governments should encourage Chinese investment in the most promising sectors such as infrastructure development, hydro power, agriculture, minerals and tourism to take advantage of investment opportunities in Nepal. Stating that the government’s focus was on strengthening inclusive growth, Minister Gyawali said Nepal would have to focus on promising sectors such as hydro power, industries, tourism, and agriculture as well as gainful employment of the youth population. He hoped that a comprehensive economic partnership between Nepal and China would help achieve these goals quickly and sustainably. He said that a stable and prosperous Nepal would be in the long-term interest not only of Nepal and China, but also the entire region. He said Nepal was among the founding members of AIIB and a partner under the Belt and Road Initiative, both China-led global initiatives. That is the level of commitment we have for China, and will always remain so. The Forum has been making enormous contributions to the policy-making process through informed policy recommendations.