China, seeking to expand ties with Nepal, gave a red-carpet welcome to its prime minister and agreed to a more cooperative bilateral partnership. Following Tuesday"s talks between Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and the Himalayan republic"s Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, the two countries agreed to "lift their bilateral relationship to a higher level by establishing comprehensive and cooperative partnership," China"s state-run Xinhua news agency reported. It is the first China visit for the Nepalese leader, who became prime minister in May, UPI quoted the report as saying. The Nepalese leader, who visited India about three months ago, began his six-day China tour in Lhasa, Tibet. He arrived in Beijing Monday to receive a red-carpet welcome in the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing, Xinhua reported. Wen was quoted as telling Nepal the two countries have become good neighbors, friends and partners, and China will take measures to promote export of Nepali products to China and encourage Chinese firms to participate in Nepal"s infrastructure construction.
