ALGIERS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- China and Algeria agreed to step up cooperation in the housing sector here on Monday during talks between China's Minister of Construction Wang Guangtao and Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem.

    Belkhadem welcomed Chinese enterprises, which he described as having great strength, to participate in Algeria's economic development.

    He also saw bright prospects for the two countries' cooperationin the housing sector.

    Wang, who began his visit to Algeria on Saturday, said China attaches great importance to the relations with Algeria, and that China is ready to deepen cooperation with Algeria for mutual benefit in various fields.

    He said housing construction is closely related to people's livelihood, and that Chinese enterprises are willing to actively participate in Algeria's housing construction and reconstruction.