Li Changchun, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC),
said yesterday China values relations with Algeria and will discuss new ways for
further bilateral cooperation.
Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political
Bureau, made the remarks during a meeting with Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz
Belkhadem.
He said China would encourage capable enterprises with good reputation to
invest in Algeria, and that he hoped Algeria would continue to support the
Chinese enterprises in Algeria to upgrade the economic and trade cooperation
between the two countries.
Reviewing the long-term traditional friendship, Li said China and Algeria
have deepened political trust and economic cooperation, increased exchanges in
the fields of culture, sports, public health and tourism, and strengthened
consultation in international and regional affairs.
He noted that the visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao to Algeria in 2004 and
the Beijing summit of the China-Africa cooperation forum in 2006 opened a new
chapter for the bilateral ties.
Belkhadem said China's eight measures agreed at the Beijing summit on
China-Africa cooperation helped develop Africa and benefit its people.
"We hope China would play a bigger role in the international and regional
affairs," he said.
Belkhadem, also Secretary-General of the Algerian National Liberation Front,
discussed with li exchanges between his party and the CPC. They agreed to
improve the party-to-party communications to fuel the development of
state-to-state relations.
He reaffirmed that Algeria would adhere to the one-China policy. He also
voiced his belief that China would remove all obstacles and render the upcoming
summer Olympic games a great success.
Li also met with Abdelaziz Ziari, Speaker of the Algerian National Assembly
on Sunday afternoon.
Li said China and Algeria have maintained mutual understanding and trust
since they forged diplomatic ties 50 years ago, and in the new era,
Sino-Algerian relationship has made new progress and become a good example for
south-south cooperation.
Li praised Algeria's adherence to the one-China policy, while expressing
hopes to boost the strategic cooperation relationship, which he believed would
benefit the two peoples and help promote world peace and stability.
Li encouraged more parliamentary exchanges and vowed to push forward contacts
between the special committees in the parliaments.
Ziari expressed gratitude for China's support on Algeria's revolution and
economic construction. He hoped to learn legislative experience from China.
After the meetings, Li visited a highway which was being constructed by
Chinese companies.
On Sunday morning, Li laid a wreath to Algeria's Martyrs' Memorial, and
witnessed the signing of several documents on cooperation.
Li arrived in Algiers, capital of Algeria, on Saturday night to kick off his
five-nation tour, which will also take him to Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia and
Syria.