Visiting President Jiang Zemin arrived in Tunis Tuesday afternoon, kicking off the fourth leg of his five-state visit which will also take him to Iran.
In a written statement released upon arrival, Jiang said China sincerely wishes to develop friendly relations with Tunisia.
Jiang will Wednesday meet Tunisian President Zine Al-abidine Ben Ali.
The president concluded his state visit to Nigeria Tuesday morning and is scheduled to leave for Iran on Thursday.
On Monday, China and Nigeria released a joint communique highlighting bilateral relations, and regional and international issues of common interest.
Nigeria reiterated its support for the one-China policy that there is but one China in the world, the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and Nigeria will only enter into "private sector-led'' trade and economic relations with Taiwan.
Bilateral economic and trade co-operation are priorities for the two countries, according to the communique.
Both sides stress their co-operation in oil and natural gas ventures and support Chinese enterprises' participation in Nigeria's energy development projects.
On international issues, China and Nigeria stated they are in favour of reforms in the United Nations (UN).
In the communique, China expressed clearly its support of greater representation of African states on the UN Security Council.
On anti-terrorism issues, both sides maintained that efforts should be made to address both its root cause and symptoms, noting the leading role of the UN should be further reinforced.
Later on Monday evening, Jiang attended a welcoming banquet held by Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Jiang said the Chinese Government has always supported the lofty cause of achieving peace and development in Africa, and will be ready to join hands with African countries to work for a new world of lasting peace, mutual respect, unity and co-operation, and common prosperity.
Jiang said the vast number of African countries and peoples have revitalized the pan-African spirit and actively explored the road to rejuvenation, saying China is fully confident of the bright prospects of development on the African continent.
Jiang highly praised Obasanjo'sinfluence in regional and international affairs, saying his role is "unique and crucial.''
Jiang expressed appreciation of Obasanjo and his government's efforts for national unity, domestic stability, sustained economic growth and African regional co-operation and integration.
Obasanjo, in his speech at the banquet, pointed out that Jiang's visit to Nigeria would open the doors for public and private investors from China, saying current bilateral trade is relatively small.
Obasanjo also highly appreciated China's support for the establishment of the African Union as well as the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa's Development, both of which are considered as new attempts by countries on the continent to be masters of their destiny.
(China Daily April 17, 2002)
