Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC), met with Albanian President Rexhep Meidani at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing December 14.

Li said China and Albania enjoy friendly ties, and in recent years bilateral cooperation in various aspects have been strengthened, adding that China respects the social system and development path chosen by the Albanian people on their own.

Although China and Albania are far apart geographically, they share the common aspiration to develop friendly cooperation, and China is willing to upgrade bilateral cooperation to a new level based on the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and non-interference into each other's internal affairs, Li said.

Meidani said that in recent years, political contacts between the two countries have increased, and the overall relationship has witnessed further development.

He pointed out there's still broad cooperative potential in the economic, cultural, educational and other sectors, stressing that it is Albania's sincere hope to expand cooperation and friendship with China.

Li said the parliamentary relationship constitutes an important part of overall bilateral ties, and the Chinese NPC highly stresses its friendship with the Albanian People's Assembly (APA). Li also expressed the hope that this relationship will help deepen mutual understanding and further promote friendship.

Namik Dokle, deputy president of the APA, who is accompanying the president on his current visit, agreed that the parliamentary relationship can play an important role in nation-to-nation relations.

The APA has maintained a sound relationship with the NPC, and it firmly supports the complete reunification of China, he said. The political stance of the APA is that it recognizes only one China, the People's Republic of China, and considers Taiwan a part of Chinese territory.

Li expressed appreciation for the pursuit of the "One China" policy by the Albanian government and by the APA.