Beijing, May 28 (IANS): Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang on Saturday congratulated their Nepalese counterparts on the Himalayan nations's Republic Day.

In his congratulatory message to President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, Xi said China and Nepal are as close as lips and teeth, and have maintained traditional friendship for generations.

China hopes to see a peaceful, stable and developed Nepal, and willing to offer further possible support to help Nepal develop its economy and improve its people's livelihood, Xinhua quoted Xi as saying.

The Chinese president said he attaches great importance to developing the China-Nepal ties and is glad to work together with his Nepalese counterpart to push forward bilateral comprehensive partnership of cooperation.

Li Keqiang, congratulating Nepalese Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, said: "China and Nepal always enjoy an equal and mutually beneficial relationship, get along well with each other and are mutually supportive."

China supports Nepal's endeavour to safeguard its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, Li said.

On May 28, 2008, the first meeting of Nepal's Constitutional Assembly abolished the country's 240-year-old monarchy, turning it into a federal multi-party representative democratic republic.