Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan met in Beijing on Thursday with Mohammed Siala, special envoy of Libyan leader Muammar al-Qathafi and Libya's deputy foreign minister.

Tang said China-Libya friendly cooperative relations accorded with fundamental interests of the two peoples, and helped safeguard regional peace and stability.

Tang hoped that the two nations would further increase mutually-beneficial cooperation in all areas, so as to push for the further development of bilateral ties.

Tang noted that to strengthen cooperation with African nations was an important part of China's independent foreign policy of peace.

China held sincere willingness to push for friendly relations with Africa, Tang said, adding that China had taken measures to cement the achievements of the Beijing summit of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum. China would continue the efforts to lift the China-Africa ties into a new height, he noted.

Siala said Libya valued the relations with China, hoping that the two countries would deepen cooperation in various fields.

Siala noted that Libya firmly adhered to one-China policy, and supported the reunification cause of China.

(Xinhua News Agency January 24, 2008)