Li Peng, chairman of the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, met in Beijing Monday with Eduardo Joaquim Dinis Erasto Mulembwe, president of the Assembly of the Republic of Mozambique, and his party.

Li said that China has always paid great attention to its relations with Mozambique, and there have been constant high-level contacts between the two sides and a smooth development of bilateral relations since the two countries forged diplomatic ties over 26 years ago.

Li voiced his appreciation for the Mozambican government's "one- China" position and support for China on issues like human rights over the past few years.

Li also said that he appreciated the Mozambican parliament's efforts for maintaining social stability and economic progress, improving its people's lives and safeguarding the legal rights and interests of its people.

He pointed out that the NPC attaches importance to the development of its relations with the Mozambican parliament, believing that inter-parliamentary exchanges are conducive to developing mutual understanding and friendship between peoples, and pushing forward the overall development of bilateral ties.

Li noted that China has always supported the efforts of the majority of African countries to safeguard their independence and sovereignty, and develop their economies.

China has also supported their independent choice of political systems and development paths suited to their own national conditions, added Li.

He stressed that strengthening and developing friendship and cooperation with African countries has always been an important component of China's independent foreign policy of peace.

China will continue to follow the principle of sincerity, friendship, equal treatment, unity, cooperation, common development and looking forward to the future in building long- term, friendly, equal, reciprocal partnerships of a new type with the majority of African countries, including Mozambique, noted the top Chinese legislator.

Li also briefed the guests on China's people's congress system, and the building of its democratic and legal systems.

Mulembwe said that the two countries enjoy a long-lasting friendship, and bilateral cooperation in various fields have seen continuous development in the past few years.

Besides, there have been close contacts between the two parliaments, said Mulembwe, adding that his country appreciates China's support and assistance for Mozambique's struggle for independence and economic development.

China's development experience is worth Mozambique learning, he added.

He reiterated Mozambique's firm adherence to its "one-China" policy, and spoke highly of China's "one country, two systems" principle.

He said he hoped that this visit would help promote bilateral friendship and cooperation to a new stage.

(Xinhua News Agency 09/25/2001)