KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has said the relation between Nepal and China is as deep as the ocean and as high as Mt Everest. Delivering a statement in a state banquet organised this evening in honour of visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Bhandari said that there are immense possibilities of taking warm and friendly relations between Nepal and China. President Bhandari said, built on Panchaseel, five principles of peaceful coexistence, trust and mutual respect, Nepal-China friendship stands as an example of good neighbourly relations. She stressed that the relation between the two countries could further be strengthened. President Bhandari recalled that relations between Nepal and China have been connected through rivers and mountains, while there is social and cultural connection between the two countries since centuries. She also highlighted the significant contribution of Chinese monks— Fa Xian (Fa Hsien) and Xuan Zang (Hsuan Tsang), Nepali monk Buddha Bhadra, princess Bhrikuti and artist Araniko to further strengthen people's level cultural relations between the two countries. In response, President Xi said he was happy at having met his new and old friends of Kantipur city and that Nepal has got political stability and social harmony, with establishing of peace. Political and people-to-people level relations between China and Nepal have been established, and mutual friendly relations have been further strengthened half a century following the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, he stated. President Xi said, 'China will assist Nepal in transforming it from a landlocked country to land-linked country. China is also ready to open as many as trade transits with Nepal. Chinese support will increase in post-quake reconstruction as well.' He said China would carry out a feasibility study on the railway connection between the two countries. The Chinese President said Nepal's demand on issues related to climate change would be addressed, adding that China would help Nepal in preserving the Mt Everest and mountainous region in Nepal. He also pledged to increase investment in the education sector of Nepal, encourage as many as Chinese nationals to promote Visit Nepal Year 2020. He said China would take initiative to inspire its nationals, especially, Buddhists to visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. The Chinese President said China would address Nepal's concerns about climate change aside from promising to safeguarding common planet earth and maintaining ecology around the Sagarmatha region. Expressing the determination to realise the projects and framework designed for development construction, President Xi also said he was looking forward to discussing and exchanging views on matters of mutual interest and common concern with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Sunday. (With inputs from Rastriya Samachar Samiti)