Algerian Premier Ahmed Ouyahia met with visiting senior official of the Chinese Communist Party Zhang Dejiang in Alger Thursday, pledging to boost the overall development of bilateral ties.

Ouyahia said both sides have a long history of friendship and corporation, saying he is grateful to China for its support and help to the Algerian people in their fight for independence. His party, Rassemblement National Democratique, will strengthen the friendly ties with the Communist Party of China (CPC), Ouyahia said.

Zhang, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Committee of Guangdong Province, said the CPC will boost the exchange of friendly visits with main parties in Algeria in order to promote overall bilateral relations.

Algeria and China established strategic partnership in February when Chinese President Hu Jintao visited the North African country.

(Xinhua News Agency October 15, 2004)