Beijing, March 19 (IANS): China has termed relations with southern neighbour Nepal as "a model of good neighbourliness" and called for coordination of development strategies to maximise benefits and advance the comprehensive partnership of cooperation.

During a meeting with visiting Nepali Foreign Minister Mahendra Bahadur Pande here on Thursday, Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao said China-Nepal relations have maintained healthy and stable development since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 60 years ago, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Calling their relationship a model of good neighbourliness, Li said China would work with Nepal to take the anniversary as an opportunity to deepen pragmatic cooperation.

Li also called on the two sides to coordinate their development strategies to maximise benefits and advance their comprehensive partnership of cooperation.

Describing China as a reliable friend and neighbour of Nepal, Pande said Nepal would take the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties as a chance to push forward friendly relations with China.