Special report: Li Changchun Visits Five Countries

Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem (R) talks with Li Changchun (L), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, March 22, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    ALGIERS, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Li Changchun, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), said on Sunday 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.