A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) met with Hedi M'enni, general secretary of the Democratic Constitutional Rally of Tunisia,?in Tunis?on Saturday. They pledged to strengthen cooperation between the two parties.

Li Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, spoke highly of the Democratic Constitutional Rally's efforts in safeguarding the nation's independence, and improving the economy and people's living standards.

Li said China and Tunisia have deepened their political trust and economic cooperation and strengthened consultations in international and regional affairs since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1964.

In this new historical period, the two countries are facing the same tasks of safeguarding sovereignty, maintaining stability, speeding up development and promoting democracy in international relations, he added.

Li said China will conscientiously implement the eight measures put forward by President Hu Jintao, deepen bilateral cooperation of mutual benefit, and bring more tangible benefits to the two peoples.

Li said he hoped that the two parties would maintain high-level contacts to promote pragmatic cooperation between the two countries in the spheres of economy, trade, science, education, culture and health.

M'enni shared Li's views, vowing to work together with China to promote relations between the two parties and two countries.

He reiterated Tunisia's support for China's territorial integrity and its readiness to participate in the Beijing Olympic Games.

After the meeting, Li and M'enni also witnessed the signing ceremony of a document on cooperation between the two parties.

Tunisia is the fourth leg of Li's five-nation tour. Li, who arrived in Tunis on Saturday afternoon, has already visited Algeria, Mauritania, Morocco and will visit Syria.

(Xinhua News Agency March 31, 2008)