China became on Friday the first major country to voice support for Nepal's King Gyanendra as the Chinese foreign minister ended a visit to the Himalayan nation globally isolated since the monarch seized power. "The international community should respect the choice made by the Nepali people," Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Wu Dawei told a news briefing in Beijing.
"We support the king and the government of Nepal to ensure national stability and reconciliation and for economic development," Wu said.
Beijing had earlier described as Nepal's internal affair the king's move in February to sack the government, declare a state of emergency and arrest political leaders. The rest of the world urged Gyanendra to restore democracy. The latest comments could spark concerns in India - Nepal's giant neighbour to the south and a key trading partner - which, along with Britain and the United States, has pressured Gyanendra to revoke his decisions.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is due to tour South Asia next week and will be aiming to cement an improvement in Sino-Indian ties when he visits New Delhi.
Wu's comments came as Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing - the first senior foreign official to visit Kathmandu since Gyanendra took power - rounded off talks with the monarch in what is seen as a signal that China would maintain friendly ties with Nepal.
"The visit was full of positive results," Li told reporters at Kathmandu airport before leaving for the Maldives.
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