Friday, March 17 2006 16:48 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Asking all 'constitutional forces' in Nepal to end the current political stalemate through dialogue, China today said it was against interference in the internal affairs of the Himalayan Kingdom and offered to expand bilateral political and economic ties.

"China believes that Nepal being a sovereign country, its internal affairs shall not be interfered with in any way by any outsider forces," State Councilor of the People's Republic of China Tang Jiaxuan, who met top officials of the royal government as well as opposition leaders, said here. "During my meeting with Nepalese leaders we had in-depth exchange of views on expanding the traditional and friendly relations and increased mutual understanding and reached common ground on a wide range of issues," Tang, who is the senior most Chinese leader to visit Nepal after King Gyanendra's takover in February last year, said during a luncheon hosted in his honour at the China Studies Centre.

China hopes that all 'constitutional forces' in Nepal will seek to settle the current difficulties and problems through dialogue based on the maintenance of Nepal's independence, sovereignty and national unification, he said on the second day of his three-day visit.

Stressing that a peaceful and prosperous Nepal will help promote regional peace, Tang said, "South Asia is close to China and China sincerely hopes to see political stability, social harmony and economic prosperity in South Asia and strong cooperation among the South Asian nations."