China's top legislator Wu Bangguo arrived in Algiers on Monday afternoon on a three-day official visit to Algeria.

Abdelaziz Ziari (R), Speaker of Algeria's National Assembly, greets Wu Bangguo (L), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, at an airport in Algiers, capital of Algeria, on Nov. 3, 2008.[Xinhua Photo]

During an informal meeting at the airport with Abdelaziz Ziari, Speaker of the Algerian National Assembly, Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, highlighted the progress of bilateral relations in recent years, saying he felt especially delighted to visit Algeria at the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.

"The purpose of my visit is to further promote the friendship between the two peoples, expand the bilateral cooperation with mutual benefit and strengthen our strategic and cooperative ties to a higher level," Wu told Ziari.

Ziari voiced agreement with Wu's views on the bilateral relations, noting that Algeria has been looking forward to Wu's visit and that he believed the visit would push forward the China-Algeria cooperation.

In addition to Ziari, Wu is also expected to meet Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia and the President of Algerian Council of the Nation Abdelkader Bensalah.

Algeria is the first leg of Wu's five-nation Africa tour which will also take him to Gabon, Ethiopia, Madagascar and Seychelles.

(Xinhua News Agency November 4, 2008)