Chinese prime minister congratulates Koirala on election as Nepal's PM

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday congratulated Sushil Koirala on his election as Nepal's new prime minister. China and Nepal are friendly neighbors of similar cultural backgrounds, said Li in a congratulatory message. Exchanges and cooperation between the two countries have achieved gratifying progress in recent years thanks to concerted efforts, he added. China appreciates Nepal's firm adherence to the one-China policy and its support for China's positions on issues concerning its core interests, such as Tibet and Taiwan, Li said. China will, as always, support Nepal's efforts to safeguard national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will continue its sincere assistance to Nepal's socioeconomic development, said the premier. Li pledged to work with his Nepalese counterpart to advance the two countries' comprehensive partnership of cooperation to new levels. Koirala, president of the Nepali Congress, the largest party in the country, was elected prime minister by Nepal's parliament on Monday, nearly three months after the national elections in November. He was sworn in on Tuesday.