China hopes to promote cooperation with Mali in economy, trade and culture, said a senior official of China's National People's Congress (NPC) on Wednesday.

Gu Xiulian, vice chairwoman of the NPC Standing Committee and chairwoman of the All-China Women's Federation, made the remarks when meeting with Malian President Amadou Toumany Toure in the capital city of Bamako.

She said the friendly cooperation between the two countries has been developing since the two countries established diplomatic ties more than 40 years ago.

Gu, who is leading a women's delegation to visit Mali, also thanked the African country for its support for the one-China policy and its cooperation with China in international affairs.

Toure said his country attaches great importance to friendly cooperation with China, believing China's development will have a significant impact on the world.

He also hoped that women in the two countries can increase exchanges and cooperate more extensively.

(Xinhua News Agency November 18, 2004)