China on Thursday extended congratulations to Nepal's newly elected President Bidhya Devi Bhandari.

Nepal's parliament on Wednesday elected 54-year-old Bhandari, vice chairperson of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), as the country's first female president.

"China sincerely congratulates Ms. Bhandari on being elected as the new President of Nepal," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang at a routine press briefing.

"We hope the Nepalese people will work together to build a peaceful, stable and prosperous Nepal under the leadership of the president and the Nepalese government," said Lu.

According to Xinhua, China supports Nepal's efforts to maintain national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said, adding that China will continue to provide assistance for Nepal's development.

Similarly, China's Ambassador to Nepal Wu Chuntai reached at President Bhandari Baneshwor Height based residence on Wednesday evening to congratulate her for electing as the President of Nepal.

 During his visit, he extended congratulations on behalf of the President of China, Xi Jing Ping. During the visit, Chinese ambassador Wu Chuntai also extended invitation to visit China in her own convenient time, claims the source.