China is satisfied with the sound growth of Sino-Tunisian relations, said top political advisor Jia Qinglin in Tunis Wednesday at a meeting with Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.

 

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body, reviewed the development of bilateral relations in recent years with increasing political mutual trust, expanding cooperation in economy, trade and other fields, and strengthening coordination in international affairs.

 

Jia said China attaches importance to bilateral relations, and he hoped the two sides will push forward bilateral relations from the following three aspects.

 

The first is to continue high-level contacts and exchanges between governments, parliaments and political parties of the two countries.

 

The second is to take effective measures to better implement bilateral cooperation documents and push for the further growth of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

 

The Chinese side will increase import from Tunisia and encourage Chinese investment in Tunisia.

 

The third is to strengthen cooperation in tourism.

 

The Sino-Tunisian trade volume last year exceeded US$400 million, a year-on-year increase of over 20 percent.

 

In a bid to make contributions to the development of African countries, Jia said, China is ready to work with African countries including Tunisia to implement the measures on China's support for Africa's development that was mapped out during last year's Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FCAC).

 

Jia, who arrived here Sunday on an official good-will visit, said China will stick firmly to a peaceful development path and continue to make unremitted efforts for the building of a harmonious world with lasting peace and common prosperity.

 

Ali said the Tunisian side will strengthen exchanges with the Chinese side and further promote the existing bilateral friendship and cooperation.

 

He said Tunisia will also strengthen cooperation with China within the framework of China-Arab cooperation forum and the FCAC.

 

Ali reiterated the Tunisian government's adherence to one-China policy, which was appreciated by Jia.

 

Tunisia is the first leg of Jia's visit to four African countries, which will also take him to Ghana, Zimbabwe and Kenya.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 19, 2007)