国内英语新闻:Seychelles, China pledge to enhance bilateral ties

VICTORIA, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- President of Seychelles James Michel on Monday met with chen Zhili, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, with both sides pledging to enhance bilateral ties.

Seychelles President Michel said the development of the ties between the two countries has scored great achievements and the successful visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao to Seychelles in 2007 has pushed the bilateral ties to a new high.

The president thanked China for its support in the past years for the socioeconomic development of Seychelles and expressed the willingness to boost cooperation with China in all sectors.

President Michel said his country will continue to stick to the one-China policy and strengthen the cooperation and coordination with China both in the international and regional affairs.

For her part, Chen Zhili said China and Seychelles have enjoyed deep and traditional friendship and the two sides have exchanged frequent high-level visits, with political mutual trust deepened, cooperation in the sectors of economy, trade, culture, education, tourism expanded in the past years.

Chen said the two sides have also enjoyed close cooperation in the international and regional affairs.

She said 2011 will mark the 35th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between China and Seychelles and China is willing to join hands with Seychelles so as to bring the friendly cooperation between the two sides to a new level.

Also on Monday, Chen Zhili met with Speaker of Seychelles' National Assembly Patrick Herminie during which she said China's NPC and Seychelles' National Assembly have enjoyed frequent exchanges and close cooperation which has played a positive role in promoting the understanding and friendship between the two peoples and enhancing the mutual cooperation in all fields of the two countries.

Chen said China's NPC attaches great importance in developing friendly ties with Seychelles' National Assembly and is willing to strengthen the exchange and coordination between the two legislatures in a bid to further development the ties between the two countries.

Herminie believes that the exchanges between the two legislatures will surely add new live to the ties between the two countries.