Preface
　　China and Nepal are neighbors at the southern foot of the towering Himalayas closely linking the two countries. Since ancient times, many stories of friendly exchanges have circulated among their peoples. Legend has it that, over two thousand years ago, Manjusri, the Bodhisattva of wisdom, cleaved the mountains to discharge a lake when passing by Nepal, thus creating the beautiful Kathmandu Valley. Faxian, an eminent monk of the Jin Dynasty (265-420), and Xuanzang, of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), made pilgrimages to Lumbini, birthplace of Sakyamuni, to worship the Buddha. During the Tang Dynasty, N epalese Princess Bhrikuti crossedthe mountains and rivers to reach Tibet in order to marry the Tubo (Tibetan) King Songtsen Gampo. During the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368), a famous Nepalese craftsman, Arniko, travelled to China and took part in the construction of nine Buddhist structures including the White Dagoba in Miaoying Temple in Beijing.
　　In modern times, the traditional friendship between the two countries continued to further flourish. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Nepal in 1955, b ilateral relations have continued to strengthen amid many international and domestic changes. On the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, the two sides have established a lasting comprehensive cooperative partnership, enhanced political trust, increasingly rich p ragmatic cooperation and deepening friendship. The two countries have become good cooperative partners which have always given each other firm support in regard to issues concerning core interests.
　　In April 2015, Nepal suffered a devastating earthquake. Although China was also hit by the disaster, the Chinese Government and people were the first to lend a helping hand for Nepal’s post-disaster reconstruction involving several hundred million U.S. dollars. This disaster further consolidated and deepened the friendship between China and Nepal and wrote a new chapter in this regard.
　　At present, the Chinese Government is committed to deepening the mutually beneficial cooperation and interconnection with neighboring countries to build a community of common destiny. Nepal is China’s important neighbor, given top priority in diplomacy. Under the framework of Nepal’s post-disaster reconstruction and the “Belt and Road Initiative,” we will further deepen cooperation with Nepal and share the development opportunities to bring more benefi ts to the two peoples. I believe that with joint efforts the S ino-Nepalese relations will surely have a brighter future.
　　On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nepal, China Intercontinental Press and the Diplomatic Pen-club MFA are jointly publishing the book Stories of China and Nepal, which is a really timely act.
　　This is of great significance for enhancing S ino-N epalese friendship. F ormer ambassador Zeng Xuyong acts as the editor-in-chief of this book, and personages from all walks of life including former Nepalese Prime Minister Kirti Nidhi Bista and other Nepalese politicians, senior Chinese diplomats with experience of working in Nepal, and those in the media, economy, trade and academic research fi elds of both countries, are contributors, fully reflecting the width and depth of Sino-Nepalese friendship. They recall and praise the profound friendship between the two peoples in combination with their sincere feelings and personal experiences. I am sure that readers in the two countries, the young generation in particular, will gain much knowledge on the historical context for Sino-Nepalese friendship t ypical of good neighbors engaged in mutually beneficial cooperation a nd gain a deep understanding of the profound meaning of the Sino-Nepalese community of common destiny, and will strive to be the inheritors and builders of Sino-Nepalese friendship so as to promote an even stronger c omprehensive cooperative partnership.
　　Wang Yi
　　Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China
　　September 2015
　　Beijing