Kathmandu, July 31:

King Gyanendra, in a message to Chinese President Hu Jintao, has said Nepal and China have made great strides in developing, expanding and consolidating the ties of friendship. In the message delivered on the occasion of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China, “King has said, ‘It is a matter of great satisfaction that our relations are marked by mutual respect and understanding in an atmosphere of mutual trust and friendship’,” a Ministry of Foreign Affairs press release today said quoting the King. Chinese President Hu Jintao in his congratulatory message to the King has said, “For 50 years since the diplomatic ties were established, China-Nepal relations have stood the test of changes of international vicissitudes, and made steady headways.”

The president has stated China wants to “consistently consolidate and strengthen China-Nepal good neighbourly and cooperative relations on the basis of five principles of peaceful co-existence. It is not only in line with fundamental interests of the two countries, but also conducive to peace, stability and development in S Asia.” Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey and Chinese Foreign Ninister Li Zhaoxing also exchanged messages. Sino-Nepal relations was established on August 1, 1955 and several programmes are being organised to celebrate the golden jubilee the diplomatic ties.