China, Azerbaijan to advance cooperation

China is willing to work together with Azerbaijan to strengthen bilateral exchanges, friendship and cooperation, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said here on Friday. China respects Azerbaijan's choice of its own development path, said Du Qinglin, a member of the secretariat of the CPC central committee, when he met with Azerbaijani Prime Minister Artur Rasizade. Du also briefed Rasizade the main spirits of the CPC 18th National Congress as well as China's achievements made in reform and opening-up and socialist modernization construction The blueprint for building China into a well-off society mapped out by the congress will greatly enhance the confidence and determination of the Chinese people of all ethnic minorities to jointly create and enjoy a more beautiful and happier life, said Du, who is also the vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee. Rasizade said that Azerbaijan is delighted to see China's enormous achievements and regards China as an important force in safeguarding world peace and stability. He said Azerbaijan hopes that China, under its new leadership, will work together with his country to advance bilateral cooperation in various fields and bring benefits to the peoples of both countries. Du arrived here earlier this week to attend the Seventh General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP).