KATHMANDU: Zhou Yongkang, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), today pledged to cooperate with Nepal to advance the relations between the two neighbouring countries.

Zhou, a standing committee member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said this in Beijing during a meeting with visiting Defence Minister Bidhya Devi Bhandari, reported People’s Daily Online.

“China will work with Nepal to push forward the bilateral comprehensive cooperative partnership,” said Zhou, who is also secretary of the Political and Legislative Affairs Committee of the CPC Central Committee. “China supported Nepal’s efforts to safeguard its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and respected Nepal’s choice of development path.”

Hailing the 55-year diplomatic ties between the two neighbours, Zhou said China will increase exchanges and cooperation with Nepal, and continue to offer

help. China also appreciated Nepal’s persistent adherence

to the one-China policy and preventing ‘anti-China forces from carrying out separatist activities in its territory’.

Zhou further hoped the two nations will work together on the Tibet issue, and make joint efforts to safeguard security of the border area for the benefit of the people of both the countries.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Bhandari said that Nepal firmly adhered to the one-China policy, and will not tolerate any anti-China separatist activity in its territory. “Nepal is willing to work with China to safeguard peace and stability of the border area,” she noted. Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie had held talks with Bhandari yesterday, exchanging views on military links between the two countries.