China, Yemen presidents agree to strengthen ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said China supports Yemen's efforts to fight against terrorism and safeguard national security, adding that China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Yemen in anti-terrorism and counter-piracy, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported. Xi made the remarks in his talks with Yemeni President Abdorabuh Mansour Hadi in Beijing on Wednesday, the report out here today said. "China will continue to promote the international community to provide assistance for Yemen," Xi was quoted as telling Hadi. He stressed that China respects Yemen's sovereignty, independence and development path chosen by the Yemeni people as well as supports Yemen's political transition process and economic reconstruction. China is ready to enhance communications with Yemen in governments, legislative bodies and political parties to exchange experiences on governance, Xi said. "China is willing to push forward cooperation with Yemen in electricity, energy, communications, transportation, infrastructure and other fields, Xi said, adding that China is also willing to provide assistance for Yemen in health, education, culture, sports and other areas. Xi also called on Yemen to create a safe and favorable business environment for Chinese companies and personnel, noting China will encourage more enterprises to invest in Yemen. For his part, Hadi said that Yemen is making efforts on pushing forward the political transition process through dialogue and consultation as well as accelerate economic reconstruction to seek an early end to unrest, according to Xinhua. "Yemen is willing to be China's strategic partner and strengthen bilateral cooperation in political, economic and cultural areas," he said, adding the country welcomes Chinese investment in electricity, oil, gas and infrastructure. After the talks, Xi and Hadi witnessed a signing ceremony of agreements on economic and technical cooperation and other fields. Hadi, who is paying a three-day state visit to China from Tuesday, is the first foreign leader Xi met after the plenary session.