Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi held talks on bilateral ties Monday with Nepali Foreign Minister Madhav Ghimire.

Yang said China and Nepal are traditional friendly neighbors and the new Chinese leadership pays great attention to ties with Nepal.

To advance their bilateral ties to a new stage, Yang proposed that the two sides keep high-level exchanges. Chinese leaders are willing to visit Nepal at a proper time while Beijing welcomes Nepali government and party leaders to visit China, Yang said.

The two countries should also enlarge their economic and trade cooperation, Yang said, adding that China is ready to take measures to expand imports from Nepal and promote balanced development of two-way trade.

China, he said, encourages capable Chinese companies to invest in Nepal and engage in its infrastructure construction, and will continue as always to provide help within its ability for Nepal's economic and social development.

In addition, Yang said the two countries should deepen law enforcement cooperation and boost cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

China will help Nepal build an armed-police academy, provide 2,500 scholarships for Nepali students in the coming five years, and encourage Chinese citizens to travel to Nepal, Yang said.

Yang also conveyed China's condolences on the casualties and damage caused by recent flooding in western Nepal.

For his part, Ghimire, who is also in charge of home affairs, said Nepal-China relations have developed smoothly on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

Nepal, he said, appreciates China's support and help for the peace, stability, economic development and improvement of people's livelihood in the country.

Ghimire reiterated that the Nepali government adheres to the one-China policy and recognizes that Tibet is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory.

No forces will be allowed to conduct anti-China political activities on Nepali soil, Ghimire said.

China's continuous development is an important opportunity for Nepal, he said, adding that his country hopes to strengthen its good-neighborly relations of friendly cooperation with China.

The two sides also exchanged views on cooperation between China and South Asian nations and relevant regional issues.