NPC Chairman Meets Djibouti President

NPC Chairman Meets Djibouti President

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Li Peng of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress met with Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh at the Great Hall of the People Thursday afternoon.

Li said although China and Djibouti are far apart geographically and different in their national conditions, they respect each other and treat each other on a equal basis. During the past 22 years since the forging of diplomatic ties, the friendship between the two countries based on the five principles of peaceful co-existence have maintained despite changes in both domestic and international situations, he said.

Pushed by leaders of the two countries, the bilateral ties have witnessed smooth progress and cooperation in all fields have been continuously reinforced, Li said, adding China and Djibouti are sincere and mutually trustful friends.

Li said contacts between the two parliaments have played an important role in stimulating bilateral ties and China's NPC is willing to further close its cooperation with the Djiboutian parliament so as to boost the overall relationship.

Since its independence, the government of Djibouti has made considerable achievements in reinforcing unity, safeguarding national stability and improving people's living standard, Li said, expressing the belief that under the leadership of president Guelleh, greater achievement could be registered.

Guelleh thanked the Chinese government and people for their generous assistance to Djibouti in its economic construction. He also spoke highly of China's achievements, which, he said, fully demonstrated that the development cause chosen by China is correct.

He said the Djiboutian government attaches highly value its cooperation with China in all fields and expressed the hope the three cooperative documents signed Wednesday would help stimulate bilateral cooperation.