China backs Lankan fight against LTTE

China on Tuesday came out in support of the Sri Lankan Government's efforts to wipe out the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and apprehend its leader V. Prabhakaran.

It also backed the decision of the Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Prachanda, to induct Maoist forces in the country's army.

"Both Nepal and Sri Lanka are friendly to China. We support the efforts of their governments to safeguard national integrity while ensuring security and political stability", Jiang Yu, spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry told a press briefing. She was responding to a question about the end of the 24-hour deadline for surrender given to Prabhakaran by Government.

The statement comes at a time when relationship between China and Nepal has become stronger than ever before. China recently promised to enhance its annual assistance to Nepal by 50 percent to 150 million yuan ($23 million).

It is also considering investing in hydropower projects in the Himalayan kingdom bordering India. Times of India