Top Chinese Legislator Meets Algerian President

Top Chinese Legislator Meets Algerian President

Li Peng, chairman of the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said Wednesday that great progress has been made in Sino-Algerian cooperation in various areas in recent years.

He made the remark while meeting with Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who came to China to attend the China-Africa Cooperation Forum which opened in Beijing Tuesday.

Extending a warm welcome to Bouteflika, Li said that the two peoples enjoy deep traditional friendship, stressing that the friendship has endured all kinds of tests.

Li said that China will never forget the leading role of Algeria in the bid to return China its legitimate membership in the United Nations 29 years ago.

The two countries have always supported each other and both have opposed hegemonism and all acts of interfering in the internal affairs of developing countries under the pretext of human rights, Li said.

Li thanked Algeria for its consistent support to China on many occasions in the United Nations human rights conferences, in which the anti-China resolutions were defeated.

"We also highly appreciate Algeria's adherence to the One-China position", Li said.

Li invited Algerian parliament leader to visit China in a bid to further the friendly cooperation between the two parliamentary bodies.

Bouteflika thanked Li for the invitation and said that the contacts between parliaments of the two countries are an important part of Algeria-China relations.

He conveyed the invitation of the Algerian parliament leader which invites Li to visit Algeria. Li thanked him and accepted the invitation.

Bouteflika said that the friendship between Africa and China has a long history. Algeria has received sincere support from China during its struggle for independence and later in its economic development.

China sticks to principles and upholds justice in international affairs, and has proven to be a true friend of Algeria and other African countries, Bouteflika said.

He said that he believes the China-Africa Cooperation Forum will explore new areas, add new content and bring new vitality into the cooperation between the two nations.

Lauding the achievements China has made in its reform and opening-up, Bouteflika said that he visited China 26 years ago and during his current visit, he has witnessed the great changes that have taken place in the most populous country.

On China's domestic situation, Li said that China regards development as the goal, reforms as the driving force, and stability as the pre-condition.

To properly handle the relationship among the development, reforms and stability is the guarantee to succeed, Li said.

He told the Algerian guest that China has placed more emphasis on developing science and technology in the new five-year plan, because the advancement of science and technology is also an important driving force for the overall development of the nation, for the increase of the comprehensive national power, and for the improvement of living standards of the people.