Kathmandu, Oct 13 (IANS) Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping said here that the his country was ready to enhance communication and cooperation with Nepal and jointly consolidate the friendship between the two countries.

Xi made the remarks on Saturday while meeting with Chairman of National Assembly of Nepal Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, reports Xinhua news agency.

Not long after his arrival from India, Xi said, he has been deeply impressed by the warmth and hospitality toward China shown by the President, Prime Minister, party leaders and the people of Nepal.

Xi said that it wass demonstrated that the China-Nepal friendship, standing as high and magnificent as the Himalayas, has taken deep root in Nepal, which has further consolidated the confidence in developing friendly bilateral relations.

Extending welcome to Xi on behalf of the National Assembly, Timilsina said it was an honour of all the Nepali people to receive the Chinese President.

Nepal thanks China for its long-term and selfless support, and will continue to stand firm in upholding the one-China policy and will not allow any forces to engage in anti-China separatist activities in Nepal, Timilsina added.

Also on Saturday, Xi held talks with his Nepalese counterpart Bidya Devi Bhandari.

Xi arrived in Kathmandu on Saturday evening on a 20-hour visit.

His is the first Chinese president's visit to Nepal after 23 years. Xi will be overseeing the signing of around a dozen agreements on Sunday.

The Chinese President also met with the president of the main opposition party Nepali Congress Sher Bahadur Deuba. During the meeting, Deuba discussed ways to strengthen the ages-old bilateral ties between Nepal and China.

The visiting Chinese President leads a delegation comprising State Councillor and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Wang Yi among other high ranking officials.

--IANS ksk