China, Algeria vow to strengthen bilateral relations

President Xi Jinping and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune shakes hands after their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday. [Photo by Feng Yongbin / China Daily]

China and Algeria vowed to strengthen bilateral cooperation, as well as their strategic coordination in international and regional affairs, while supporting each other on issues related to their own core interests.

The two sides signed multiple cooperation agreements on Tuesday after President Xi Jinping met with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who is on a state visit to China from Monday through Friday.

The agreements covered various fields including agriculture, transportation, science and technology, telecommunications, urban sustainable development, trade, aerospace, inspection and quarantine, energy, education and sports.

During their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xi hailed the development of bilateral cooperation since the two countries established diplomatic relations 65 years ago, saying that they have been sincere friends and partners on the path of common development and national rejuvenation.

Xi emphasized that the two nations should support each other on issues concerning their core interests. He thanked Algeria for its support for China's just position on the Taiwan question, as well as on issues related to the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and human rights.

China firmly supports Algeria in safeguarding the North African country's national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and opposes external interference in Algeria's internal affairs, Xi said. China also supports Algeria in choosing a development path that suits its national conditions, he added.

Xi stressed that the two countries should work together to carry out cooperation projects, including the joint building of the Belt and Road.

China is willing to work with Algeria to accelerate the implementation of the outcomes of the first China-Arab States Summit and strengthen cooperation within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, in order to promote the building of China-Arab and China-Africa communities with a shared future in the new era, Xi said.

China congratulates Algeria on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2024 and 2025, and is willing to enhance coordination and cooperation with Algeria in the UN and on multilateral occasions, Xi added.

Tebboune said that China is Algeria's most important friend and partner. Algeria supports the China-proposed Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and is willing to actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, he said.

Algeria appreciates the key role played by China in promoting the construction of a more open and inclusive world, and in shaping a fairer and more reasonable international order, Tebboune said.

President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, July 18, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Before their talks, Xi held a grand welcoming ceremony for Tebboune at the Great Hall of the People. The two countries issued a joint statement after their talks.

China and Algeria launched a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2014, making Algeria the first Arab country to forge such a partnership with China.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of China sending medical teams to Algeria. Over the past six decades, China has sent 3,522 medical and nursing personnel to Algeria, providing treatment to over 27 million patients and delivering more than 2.07 million newborns, which has been hailed as a milestone in China-Algeria friendship.

President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, July 18, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, July 18, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

President Xi Jinping holds talks with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 18, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]