The Embassy of Nepal in Beijing organized a dinner reception at its hall on April 18, 2013 in honor of former Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" visiting China and celebrating the Nepalese New Year 2070 BS.

Mr. Prachanda delivers a speech at Nepal Embassy in Beijing on April 18, 2013. [Photo by Li Xiaohua/China.org.cn]

Members of the Nepalese Community in Beijing and Nepalese students studying in China were invited to the program, as well as Chinese scholars and friends of Nepal, leading Chinese investors having investment in Nepal and media representatives.

H.E. Dr. Mahesh Kumar Maskey, Ambassador of Nepal to China, welcomed all guests while wishing them a very happy Nepalese New Year 2070 BS, and expressed hopes that a lasting peace prevails in the country and a democratic constitution coming into force heralding an era of peace, democracy and development in Nepal.

Mr. Prachanda, also Chairman of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), expressed a deep feeling of friendship between the government, people and parties of Nepal and China while delivering a speech at the program. Mr. Prachanda unveiled at the program the Embassy publication titled "Embassy Activities in Nepal-China Year of Friendly Exchanges 2012," which covers almost all major activities carried out by the Embassy during the year 2012.

Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao met with Mr. Prachanda on April 17. Li said the Chinese government has adhered to good-neighborly and mutually-beneficial principles and expects the two countries to consolidate their traditional friendship, seek common development and bring benefits to the two peoples.

The CPC would like to work with the UCPN (Maoist) to boost sharing experiences on running the party and the country, as well as promote the comprehensive cooperative partnership between the two countries.

Prachanda said the UCPN (Maoist) would like to deepen party-to-party cooperation and work toward friendly relations between the two countries.

Prachanda and his delegation are on a 10-day visit to China, with stops in Beijing, Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, and Shenzhen, an economic powerhouse in the south.