China is satisfied with the smooth development of its ties with Sudan and is confident about the prospect of bilateral friendly cooperation, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said in Khartoum on Tuesday.

Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks as he held talks with Nafi'a Ali Nafi'a, deputy chairman for political affairs of National Congress of Sudan.

Li said the Chinese and Sudanese peoples share a long-standing tradition of friendship. The two countries have continuously promoted their friendly cooperation in all fields since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Both China and Sudan face the tasks of maintaining world peace, developing economy and improving people's living standards, he said.

He noted the two countries have always helped and supported each other and continuously strengthened their friendly cooperation in all fields over the years. He also expressed appreciation to Sudan for its consistent adherence to the one-China policy.

He also highly praised the contacts and exchanges between the CPC and the National Congress of Sudan. He said the CPC treasures and attaches great importance to the friendly exchanges and cooperation with political parties of Sudan.

He noted that the National Congress is the ruling party in Sudan and plays an important role in the country's political and economic life. He said the CPC is ready to work with it to further boost the relations between the two parties and two countries in a stable way.

Nafi'a said Li's visit is a significant event to bilateral relations and will lift the ties of the two countries and two parties to a new level.

He said the long-standing friendship between Sudan and China and the profound feeling between the peoples of the two nations provide a solid foundation for strengthening Sino-Sudanese friendly cooperation in the new era.

He said the Sudanese National Congress places great importance on expanding exchanges with the CPC. It is ready to further enhance friendly communication with the CPC, he said.

Sudan is glad to see that under the leadership of the CPC, China has achieved continuous economic development, improved people's living standard and its status in the international community, Nafi'a said.

He reiterated Sudan will continue sticking to the one-China policy. He wished China the success of reunification.

During the talks, Li and Nafi'a briefed each other about social and economic development in their own countries. They exchanged views on strengthening party-to-party exchanges and expanding cooperation in such areas as politics, culture and media.

Also on Tuesday, Li met with Sudanese Vice President Ali Othman Taha.

Li said at the meeting that mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries has made substantial progresses and brought benefits to their peoples over recent years. China is willing to make efforts to promote long-term, stable development of the friendly and cooperative relations with Sudan.

Taha said Sudan places high importance on developing relations with China and takes the expansion of bilateral friendly cooperation as a top priority of its foreign policy.

He said strengthening cooperation in all fields is in the fundamental interest of the two countries and their peoples, and will contribute to world peace and stability.

Li is here for a goodwill visit to Sudan, the first leg of his four-nation trip to Africa. Li heads a CPC delegation to the country at the invitation of the National Congress of Sudan.

(Xinhua News Agency November 16, 2005)