Noting that Xi is the first Chinese president to visit Nepal in 23 years, Bhandari said the visit is of historic significance, adding that the two countries' announcement of establishing a strategic partnership of cooperation will consolidate the two countries' traditional friendship, enrich the contents of bilateral ties and usher in a new era for the Nepal-China relationship.

Nepal, she said, respects China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and will never allow any anti-China force to engage in anti-China activities in Nepal, adding that Nepal is willing to actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and the building of a trans-Himalayan connectivity network.

Nepal is the second leg of Xi's two-country trip, which also took him to the southern Indian city of Chennai for an informal meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.