BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- A Nepalese official said Wednesday that Nepal makes China a priority in its foreign relations and abides by the one-China policy.

The pledge was made by visiting Nepalese Deputy Prime Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who acted as special envoy for new Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, in his meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing.

Mahara said Nepal will strengthen coordination and cooperation with China, and implement all consensus already reached between the two countries.

Li said China appreciates the importance attached to relations with China by the new Nepalese government.

He said China will work with Nepal in the spirit of friendship, sincerity, and mutual benefit, to jointly promote bilateral relations as well as peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

China plans to expand bilateral cooperation in such areas as trade, connectivity and infrastructure construction. China will also help Nepal in natural disaster relief and post-disaster reconstruction, Li added.

Mahara was visiting Beijing just two weeks after Pushpa Kamal Dahal was elected as Nepal's new prime minister. He also met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Song Tao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee during his stay.