BEIJING, May 28 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday congratulated Nepalese President Bidhya Devi Bhandari on Nepal's Republic Day.

In his congratulatory message, 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 is willing to offer further possible support to help Nepal develop its economy and improve its people's livelihood, Xi said.

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.

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 multiparty representative democratic republic.