African countries are willing to further increase cooperation with China, which is in the interest of their people and the people across the world, said Allele Elhadji Habibou, a senior secretary of the National Movement for the Society of Development Friday in Harbin, capital of northeastern Heilongjiang Province.

Habibou, also head of a delegation composed of 17 members from ruling parties of nine African countries, made the remarks when meeting with Liu Donghui, deputy secretary of the Heilongjiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Habibou said China belongs to the third world and has given important support to African countries in their struggle for sovereignty. So long as the African countries and China work with joint efforts, they can stand together and cope with all challenges.

China does not only pursue its own development, but also peace, stability and justice in the world, he said, adding the African countries are honored to stand with China.

Habibou also spoke highly of the vim and strong momentum of Heilongjiang's economic development.

Liu expressed his hope for economic cooperation between Heilongjiang and the African countries.

In the afternoon, leaders of the provincial departments in charge of local agriculture, commerce and state-owned assets supervision briefed the African guests on the reform of the state-owned enterprises, agricultural development and economic cooperation with foreign countries.

The delegation also visited two well-known places of interest in Harbin including the central street, with a history of more than 100 years, and the biggest Orthodox church in the Far East.

At the invitation of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, the delegation is paying a 16-day visit in China. They have spent five days in Beijing and will go to eastern Shandong Province next week.

The nine ruling parties from African countries include Seychelles People's Progressive Front, the Rwandan Patriotic Front, Cameroon People's Democratic Rally, Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea, Rally of the Togolese People, Tiako I Mada-gasikara, National Movement for Social Development of Niger, Party of Unity and Progress of Guinea, Popular Rally for Progress of Djibouti.

(Xinhua News Agency June 25, 2005)