Wang Zhaoguo (L), vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's parliament, presents gifts to Mohamed Afif Chiboub, first vice speaker of Tunisia's chamber of deputies, in Tunis, capital of Tunisia, March 22, 2010. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, led a NPC delegation to Tunisia for an official goodwill visit, starting from Saturday evening.(Xinhua/Kang Xinwen)
TUNIS, March 22 (Xinhua) -- China hopes to expand exchange and cooperation with Tunisia in all aspects and at all levels, in order to strengthen bilateral ties and achieve common development, said a visiting senior Chinese official here on Monday.
Wang Zhaoguo, vice-chairman of the National People's Congress ( NPC), China's parliament, made the remarks when meeting with Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, led a NPC delegation to Tunisia for an official goodwill visit, starting from Saturday evening.
He said that China and Tunisia have made remarkable achievements in friendly cooperation of all fields, with mutual respect, trust, and equal treatment, and mutual supports and sincere attitudes toward collaboration, benefitting people of both countries, since the two countries established diplomatic ties 46 years ago.
Fouad Mebazaa (2nd R), speaker of Tunisia's chamber of deputies, and Mohamed Afif Chiboub (1st R), first vice speaker, meet with Wang Zhaoguo (1st L), vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's parliament, in Tunis, capital of Tunisia, March 22, 2010. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, led a NPC delegation to Tunisia for an official goodwill visit, starting from Saturday evening. (Xinhua/Kang Xinwen)
In recent years, the two countries stepped up their mutual political trust, made good progress in economic and trade cooperation and enhanced cultural exchange, Wang said.
He said that China appreciated Tunisia's support for China's key political issues, including Taiwan, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Tibet and human rights. China also supported Tunisia in choosing a way of development in accordance with its own situation.
Ghannouchi said that Tunisia was satisfied with the continuous friendly cooperation with China. He said he believed that Wang's visit will help further expand the cooperation.
The prime minister said that Tunisia wished to further expand cooperation with China in environmental protection, tourism and high technology. More Chinese enterprises are welcome to invest in Tunisia and develop new market.
Wang also stressed the role of the two countries' parliaments in enhancing the bilateral ties, while meeting with Fouad Mebazaa, speaker of Tunisia's chamber of deputies on Monday.
Tunis was the first stop of Wang and his delegation's visit to Tunisia, Egypt and Malaysia, on the invitation of parliaments of the three countries.
Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi (R) meets with Wang Zhaoguo, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's parliament, in Tunis, capital of Tunisia, March 22, 2010. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, led a NPC delegation to Tunisia for an official goodwill visit, starting from Saturday evening. (Xinhua/Kang Xinwen)