Chinese President Hu Jintao and Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika signed a statement Monday in Beijing on the further development of the strategic cooperative relations between the two countries.

In the document, endorsed after their talks Monday afternoon, the two presidents expressed satisfaction over the fruitful cooperation between China and Algeria in diverse sectors since diplomatic ties were forged 48 years ago.

They held the two countries have political trust and a broad outlook for trade and economic cooperation. "It is in line with the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples to cement and deepen the strategic cooperative relations and boost common development."

Hu and Bouteflika agreed the two sides will maintain and enhance high-level meetings and visits, and will hold consultations and coordination on bilateral ties and major regional and international issues.

Meanwhile, China and Algeria will increase friendly exchanges between their parliaments and parties and will work towards the establishment of a strategic dialogue mechanism between their foreign ministries.

The Algerian government reiterates its adherence to the one- China policy and opposition to any form of "Taiwan independence", while the Chinese government stresses it supports Algeria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The two sides encourage exchanges and cooperation between their companies and entrepreneurs, and will intensify cooperation in diverse sectors including industry, information technology, communications, mechanical engineering, agriculture, water conservation and infrastructure construction, the document said.

The statement outlined China-Algeria cooperation in energy and mineral resources, saying businesses from both sides are encouraged to collaborate in these sectors.

The document, in Chinese and Arabic, also covered cooperation in culture, education, tourism, science and technology, military affairs, security and disaster relief as well as people-to-people exchanges.

Source: Xinhua