President Hu Jintao and Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika agreed Thursday to expand cooperation between their countries. The two leaders are attending the UN's 60th anniversary summit in New York.

Hu said China and Algeria have always cooperated with and supported each other in both bilateral and international affairs, and the establishment and development of bilateral strategic partnership is of significance under the current international situation.

He said he hoped both sides will continue to make efforts to enrich the contents of their strategic cooperation.

On the rapid growth of bilateral economic and trade relations, Hu said China is taking measures to increase import from Algeria to promote the sound and steady development of bilateral trade.

He pointed to bilateral cooperation achievements in energy, telecommunications, communication, infrastructure and human resources, saying the Chinese government will encourage more Chinese enterprises to take part in the economic construction of Algeria.

Bouteflika said Algeria pays much attention to bilateral cooperation in various fields, and the two countries enjoy sound political relations and expanding economic and trade cooperation.

The Algerian side hopes to further explore bilateral cooperation spheres to enhance bilateral strategic partnership, said Bouteflika.

The two presidents, in discussing major international issues such as the UN reform, also agreed to further strengthen coordination and cooperation in bilateral and multilateral arenas so as to better safeguard the just rights and interests of developing countries.

Hu expressed his welcome to Bouteflika to visit China and Bouteflika said he expects to visit China as early as possible.

(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2005)