Sujata Koirala, Nepali Foreign Minister

China will work together with Nepal to upgrade bilateral good-neighborly relations based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, said Vice Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday.

Li told visiting Nepali Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala that China would further cooperation with Nepal on trade, agriculture, personnel exchanges and tourism.

Expressing appreciation for Nepal's support of China on the Tibet issue, Li said China had always handled the relations with Nepal "from a strategic and long-term perspective."

China-Nepal relations had developed smoothly since the two countries forged diplomatic ties half a century ago, no matter what changes had taken place in the international arena, Li said.

They had supported each other politically, and maintained sound cooperation in trade and in dealing with the international affairs, Li added.

Sujata said Nepal and China had long shared mutual respect and equal treatment. Their relations were time-tested and a good example for friendly co-existence between big and small countries.

She said Nepal adhered to one-China policy, and would not allow any force to use Nepal's territory to take anti-China act.

Sujata is paying an official visit to China from September 8 to 13, at the invitation of her Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi.

Video: Xu Yang

Journalist: Zhang Haizhou