Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali attended Wednesday evening a reception held by Chinese Embassy to Tunisia on the occasion of China's 63rd National Day. Speaking at the reception, Chinese Ambassador Huo Zhengde said China "closely follows Tunisia's political evolution" and " respects the will of the Tunisian people for political change and hails the efforts of the Tunisian authorities to achieve social stability and peace in Tunisia." The ambassador also said China attaches a great importance to the friendly relations with Tunisia, noting the exchange of visits by foreign ministers of the two countries this year. "China has also increased its aid to Tunisia to help the country during the transitional period," Huo Zhengde said. "Bilateral trade and cooperation have witnessed significant progress," he said, adding that the bilateral relations "offer great opportunities for development during and after Tunisia's transitional period." A number of Tunisian officials, as well as members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Tunisia attended the reception.