BEIJING - China congratulates Sushila Karki on becoming the prime minister of Nepal's interim government, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.

Karki, Nepal's former chief justice, took office as the prime minister of the interim government on Friday evening following KP Sharma Oli's resignation.

The Chinese spokesperson said China and Nepal share a time-honored friendship, and China, as always, respects the development path chosen independently by the people of Nepal.

China stands ready to work with Nepal to promote the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, enhance exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and further advance bilateral relations, the spokesperson said.