Senior officials of the communist parties of China and India on Tuesday pledged to cement party ties.

Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with a delegation of the Indian Communist Party (Marxist), headed by Sitaram Yechury.

In talks in Beijing, Li and Yechury exchanged views on bilateral ties and party-to-party relations.

Noting China and India are large developing countries, Li said it was China's established policy and strategic decision to develop a long-term, stable good-neighbor relationship with India.

Deeper bilateral cooperation brought tangible benefits to both nations, Li said.

Li said China would like to work with India to address mutual concerns.

On inter-party ties, Li said the Indian Communist Party (Marxist) has done a lot of work to promote bilateral ties.

"The CPC will step up exchange and cooperation with your party," Li told Yechury.

Yechury, who is on his 10th visit to China, said his party believed India-China friendship not only benefits both countries but also works for regional and global peace, stability, development and cooperation.

During their week-long China visit, Yechury's delegation will travel to the southwestern province of Sichuan and the central province of Hunan.

(Xinhua News Agency December 2, 2008)