Xi Jinping (R) meets with Prachanda, the Chairperson of Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist, in Beijing, capital of China, April 18, 2013. Photo: Xinhua" src="http://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2011/3fc618c6-6b14-412c-947a-3f493bcf4c1f.jpeg">

Chairman of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), Pushpa Kamal Dahal, known as "Prachanda," called his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday "a new chapter" in Nepal's relationship with China late on the same day during an exclusive interview with the Global Times.

Dahal, the former prime minister of Nepal, kicked off his week-long visit to China on Sunday. He told the Global Times that during his talks with Xi, he conveyed Nepal's situation to Xi, and appealed for more investment from China.

Although there have been criticisms in Nepal that China has been expanding its influence over the region via investment, Dahal said that China's investments are based on the historically close relationship between the two nations and are indispensable for the prosperity of Nepal.

According to the Nepalese Maoist leader, Nepal could benefit from the economic growth of both its large neighbors, India and China, and that the three countries should strengthen cooperation. Dahal also said that he advocated equal ties with both of Nepal's neighbors, while calling upon Nepalese leaders to understand the importance of "this new strategy."

According to Dahal, China and India could cooperate on major hydroelectric power projects and road building projects in Nepal, jointly allowing economic growth to contribute to Nepal's prosperity.

Dahal closely tied the fate of Nepal with that of China's. He talked about his understandings of the "Chinese dream" promoted by China's new leadership, saying peace, stability and prosperity are the essence of the dream based on his understanding.