China, Algeria to jointly push for progress in partnership

ALGIERS, Feb. 7 -- China and Algeria will work together to achieve further progress in their bilateral ties, officials of the two countries said here on Saturday.

During a meeting with Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal, visiting Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi said the purpose of his visit to Algeria this time aims to facilitate the implementation of the consensus made by state leaders of the two countries, to strengthen high-level dialogue and to develop cooperation in various fields so as to further enrich China-Algeria comprehensive strategic partnership.

Yang, also China's former foreign minister, proposed the two sides enhance high-level contacts and maintain coordination and cooperation on major issues in regard to world peace and development.

He said efforts should be made to consolidate bilateral cooperation in the traditional fields such as construction, telecommunication, oil and gas, and also to promote cooperation in such new fields as space.

For his part, Sellal said Algeria attaches great importance to its relations with China and wants to further upgrade economic ties with China, adding that he hopes more Chinese entrepreneurs could come to make investment.

While noting that the two countries share similar views on many major regional and global issues, Sellal said Algeria is willing to work jointly with China to promote the development of China-Africa relations and to safeguard international justice.

Yang also met with Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on the day, both pledging efforts for closer ties between the two countries.

Algeria is the first stop of Yang's three-nation African tour that will also take him to Zimbabwe and Uganda. He attended the 51th Munich Security Conference before travelling to the north African country.