Chinese Vice President Hu Jintao said Tuesday that the strengthened solidarity and cooperation between developing countries is of special importance under the current complicated and changing international situation.
Hu made the remark at his meeting with visiting Tunisian Foreign Minster Habib Ben Yahia.
Hu stressedt that since China and Tunisia forged diplomatic relations 37 years ago there had been frequent contacts between the leaders of the two countries and a steady growth of bilateral relations.
He praised Tunisia's long-time adherence to the One-China policy and its understanding and support of China on human rights and other major issues, commending the mutual understanding and support between the two countries in international affairs.
He said that China is ready to strengthen consultation and coordination with Tunisia in the international arena and to expandbilateral cooperation in line with mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits in order to bring the China-Tunisia relationship to a new high in the new century.
Ben Yahia said that both the Tunisian President Zine Al-abidineBen Ali and he were impressed by China's profound changes and admired and valued the wisdom of the Chinese leadership.
He said that Tunisia believed that there are still potentials to tap between the two countries and his country is willing to learn from the Chinese experience in economic construction and to make Tunisia-China cooperation an example of South-South cooperation.
He also said that Tunisia and China should strengthen coordination and cooperation in regional and global issues for thetwo countries shared similar, even identical views on major issues.
(People's Daily November 21, 2001)
