Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan met with a delegation lead by Pyar Jung Thapa, chief of Army Staff of the Royal Nepalese Army in Beijing Wednesday.

Cao, also vice chairman of the Chinese Central Military Commission and state councilor, said that Sino-Nepalese friendship dated back thousands of years, and the relations between the two armed forces also witnessed continuous development.

He expressed thanks to Nepal for its adherence to the one-China policy, and hoped that the two sides could be good neighbors, good partners and good friends for ever.

Thapa said Nepal cherished the long-lasting friendship between the two countries and their armed forces, hoping that high-level exchanges would further strengthen the friendship.

"China is Nepal's most intimate friend," he acknowledged." Nepal appreciates China's foreign policy of peace and thanks China for its support in time of need."

Thapa expressed the hope that Nepal and China could further enhance their cooperation in politics, economic, culture, military and other fields, making the bilateral friendly relations to progress for generations. 

(Xinhua News Agency June 17, 2004)