Xi eyes more comprehensive relations with Algeria

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday called for stronger and more comprehensive China-Algeria relations.

Xi made the remarks in a meeting with President of the Council of the Nation of Algeria Abdelkader Bensalah on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2013, which opened on Sunday in Boao, a coastal town in south China's Hainan province.

Xi said China and Algeria are friends, as the two peoples forged a solid friendship amid Algeria's struggle for national independence and through Algeria's great contributions in helping China restore its status in the United Nations in 1971.

Xi thanked Algeria for its firm support for China on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns.

Xi described Algeria as China's "good friend, good brother and good partner", saying it is China's established policy to develop comprehensive, friendly cooperation with Algeria and deepen the countries' bilateral strategic cooperation.

China would like to work with Algeria in pursuing all-around, multi-tier and wide-ranging cooperation and upgrading bilateral relations, Xi said, adding that China supports exchanges between the legislative bodies of the two countries.

Bensalah thanked China for helping Algeria with its national independence and build-up.

Bensalah called on the two countries to continue high-level visits, pursue more exchanges between legislative bodies and expand cooperation in trade, the economy and investment.