Li Zhanshu (R), chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 5, 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Li Zhanshu on Wednesday met with Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno who attended the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Li, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, said the summit marked the start of a new journey of solidarity and cooperation between the largest developing country and the continent with the most developing countries.

China will work with Chad in strengthening cooperation in areas including energy, infrastructure and desertification control, said Li.

Li also stressed that China will help African countries, including Chad, and their peoples develop the economy, lift themselves out of poverty, and achieve prosperity.

Noting the success of the summit, Deby said Chad looks forward to strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation with China under the forum's framework to promote common development.