China appreciates Nepal's longstanding commitment to one-China policy: Chinese envoy

Kathmandu: China highly appreciates Nepal’s longstanding commitment to the one-China principle and resolutely opposing “Taiwan Independence”, Chinese ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi said on Wednesday.

The comment from the Chinese envoy came a day after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan and held talks with the self-ruled island's leadership, amidst vociferous protests from Beijing.

“China highly appreciates Nepal’s longstanding commitment to the one-China principle and resolutely opposes Taiwan's Independence. It is also the political foundation of China-Nepal relations,” she said in a statement.

Pelosi arrived in Taiwan late on Tuesday, becoming the highest-ranking American official in 25 years to visit the island claimed by China, which quickly announced that it would conduct military drills close to Taiwan in retaliation for her presence in Taipei.

Pelosi said that she and other members of Congress in a visiting delegation are showing they will not abandon their commitment to the self-governing island.

By allowing the 82-year-old top Democrat to visit Taipei, China accuses the US of violating the 'One China' policy under which Beijing regards Taiwan as part of the Chinese mainland.

In the statement, the Chinese ambassador to Nepal further praised Nepal’s stand on Taiwan.

“It is also the political foundation of China-Nepal relations. We believe that the government of Nepal and its people will continue to abide by the one-China principle and understand and support China’s legitimate and justified position and work together with China to defend each other’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity,” she pointed out.

“China has expressed the belief that Nepal continues to abide by the One-China Principle and that Taiwan affairs are purely internal affairs of China.”