KATHMANDU - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with his Nepalese counterpart Baburam Bhattarai and leaders of major Nepalese political parties here on Saturday, extensively exchanging views with them on the development of relations between China and Nepal.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao shakes hands with his Nepalese counterpart Baburam Bhattarai in Kathmandu, Nepal on Saturday. [Photo/Xinhua]

"I am coming here with the Chinese people's friendship toward the Nepalese people and their aspiration to promote the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries," Wen said.

China and Nepal are good neighbors, good friends and good partners.  China supports Nepal's peace and constitutional process, and its efforts to safeguard independence, sovereignty, territorial integration and national unification, Wen said.

China is ready to provide, within its capacity, assistance to Nepal for economic and social development and believes that Nepal can overcome difficulties to realize the goal of building a new Nepal, the Chinese premier said.

He added that though his visit is short this time, it is of great significance and fruitful.

The two sides have conducted in-depth exchanges of views on a wide range of issues and reached important consensus, Wen said, adding that both countries have also issued a joint statement during the visit.

China is willing to increase exchanges with the Nepalese government, political parties and people from all walks of life to jointly promote the constant development of the comprehensive cooperative partnership between the two countries, Wen said.

Nepalese political leaders hailed Wen's visit as a landmark one, stressing that maintaining friendship with China is a consensus shared by  all the social sectors of Nepal.

They support the Nepalese government's adherence to the one-China policy and expressed gratitude to the Chinese side for its long-time assistance to Nepal's economic development.

Prachanda, chairman of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), Sushil Koirala, president of the Nepali Congress Party, and Jhalanath Khanal, chairman of the Nepal Communist Party (United Marxist-Leninist) said the Nepalese political parties are committed to pushing forward the peace and constitutional process and are dedicated to national reconciliation and social development.

The various circles of Nepal are deeply impressed by China's development and are ready to boost friendship and cooperation with China, so as to benefit from its development.