Nepal-China friendship is not only a perfect model for the country-to-country relations, but also a corner stone for the regional peace and stability, a senior Nepali official said Tuesday in an exclusive interview to Xinhua.

"The relation between two countries in the last 50 years has been developing to contribute intimacy and better understanding," Kirti Nidi Bista, vice-chairman of Council of Ministers, said prior to Nepali King Gynendra's visit to participate the annual meeting of Bo'ao Asian Forum in Hainan province of China on April 23-24.

Nepal-China relations have been developing to promote mutual interest and cooperation on the basis of the Five Principles of Peace and Co-existence, said Bista, who will attend the opening ceremony of the Bo'ao forum in honor of the king.

Since Nepal serves as a bridge to the two regional powers, namely China and India, the maintenance of the good relationship between Nepal and China will also contribute to the regional peace to an great extent, he said.

China attaches importance to its relations with Nepal by extending a lot of unselfish assistance to Nepal's development, Bista noted, adding that the fields of bilateral cooperation will still expand, further strengthen the relationship and get two countries closer during the king's upcoming visit.

King Gyanendra and other heads of state or government will have opportunities to sit together, to consult and share views with many outstanding personalities that will enhance Nepal to create friendly atmosphere with other countries, he added.

The king will also participate in the Asian-African Summit 2005 on April 22-23 in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia.

"The situation has been changed all over the world since the establishment of Asian-African Summit 50 years ago, and the principles that were laid during first meeting," he noted, adding that the conference is also very important and significant to Nepal.

Source: Xinhua