KATHMANDU: China has congratulated Sushila Karki on assuming office as the Prime Minister of Nepal’s interim government.

In its statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said China and Nepal share a time-honored friendship and reaffirmed that Beijing respects the independent development path chosen by the Nepali people.

“China stands ready to work with Nepal to uphold the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and further advance bilateral relations,” the ministry said.