BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua)-- Top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng met with Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal in Beijing on Tuesday, pledging to upgrade comprehensive strategic partnership.
Sellal, who is in Beijing for a four-day official visit, is the first Algerian head of government to visit China since the north African country won independence in 1962.
Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), hailed the profound friendship, solid political foundation and fruitful cooperation between both countries over the years.
China hopes to cement the comprehensive strategic partnership and substantial cooperation alongside Algeria, he said.
The CPPCC is ready to enhance exchanges with the Algerian Council of the Nation (Upper House) and the National Assembly (Lower House), in a bid to promote cooperation and cultural exchanges as well as peoples' understandings, Yu said.
Algeria and China always trusted and supported each other, said Sellal, while vowing to boost cooperation in trade, culture and other areas.
Sellal will also visit Shanghai.
China supported Algeria's struggle for national liberation in the 1950s, and was one of the first countries to recognize Algeria's independence.
In 1970s, Algeria made significant efforts to help China restore its legal seat at the United Nations, as the UN General Assembly passed a resolution sponsored by Algeria and 22 other countries to restore the rights of the People's Republic of China.