Hassane Rabehi, Algerian ambassador to China.

It's a great pleasure to address the readers of China Daily on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Independence of Algeria, a day when Algerians will highlight the strong support extended to them by nations such as China during their struggle against colonization.

On this day, the Chinese people and the leadership of this brotherly country are reaffirming their feelings of friendship, esteem and solidarity with Algeria.

The Algerians will never forget the solidarity shown by the leadership and the people of China during the struggle for independence from the colonial regime.

Serving as ambassador of Algeria in China is a honor because of the traditional ties of friendship and fruitful cooperation between the two countries and because of the brotherhood and hospitality extended to me and to the Algerian community living in China, a beautiful country with a storied history and rich culture and one whose successes on the road to national progress are visible every day.

One year and half ago I arrived here with the hope that I could contribute to the strengthening of the bonds of cooperation and brotherhood between our two countries. Both nations are always among those countries that have been committed to the independence, emancipation, development, peace and stability of the world.

The commendable efforts by presidents Hu Jintao and Abdelaziz Bouteflika for peace, security, stability and good governance are enhancing the prestige of the two countries on the international scene.

Under the sage guidance of the Chinese leadership, China is a haven of peace and prosperity.

Algeria has full confidence that with the valuable and correct vision of the Chinese Communist Party, the leaders of this great country will be successful in the accomplishment of their noble task and will meet the expectations of the Chinese people.

My country Algeria, which is enjoying a flourishing economy and remarkable stability under the leadership of President Bouteflika, is keen to strengthen the already strong bonds with China.

I am appreciative of the fruitful assistance I am getting from a large number of Chinese, be they officials or ordinary people, whose actions have yielded mutually beneficial results.

China and Algeria have traditionally had friendly relations.

When the Algerian interim government was formed on September 1958, China immediately gave it recognition and established full diplomatic relations with Algeria on Dec 20.

Since Algeria won independence in 1962, the friendly relations and cooperation between China and Algeria have flourished in the political, economic, cultural and health fields. For its part, Algeria made significant contributions to the restoration of the People's Republic of China to its legitimate seat in the United Nations.

President Bouteflika, who was the foreign minister at the time, played an active role.

Algeria firmly adheres to the One-China Policy and supports China in its reunification.

The two countries established strategic cooperative relations in 2006. They frequently exchange high-level visits and host bilateral discussions on regional and international issues of common interest.

They also interact closely within the framework of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum and the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum.

Algeria places a high premium on the traditional friendship between the two nations, and they are always ready to strengthen and expand cooperation in different fields.

The joint commission established in 1982 will convene its seventh session this year in Algiers.

The permanent consolidation of the relationship with China is among the priorities of Algerian diplomacy.

Algerian foreign policy principles have been shaped by geography and by the different civilizations, cultures and traditions in which Algeria is deeply rooted.

Algeria adheres to the principles and objectives laid down in the charters of the United Nations Organization, the African Union and the League of Arab States.

Algeria pledges to promote unity, stability and fruitful cooperation based on equality and mutual interest, and it supports the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means.

Faithful to the principles and goals of non-alignment, Algeria strives for the establishment of peace and non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations.

The defense of Algeria's sovereignty and her territorial integrity along with the right of peoples' self-determination and the struggle against colonialism, neo-colonialism and racial discrimination constitute the fundamental themes of Algerian diplomacy.

As a developing country, Algeria played a great role in helping many other African and developing countries achieve independence. Algeria is considered one of the fervent defenders and promoters of South-South cooperation and a new world order.

Under the wise leadership of President Bouteflika, Algerian diplomacy is playing an international role consistent with its acknowledged status of pivotal State in the region.

A whole succession of visitors has come to Algeria, including heads of state, ministers of foreign affairs or other ministries, parliamentarians, and business leaders.

The country is active in traditional diplomatic forums, such as UNO, the African Union, the Maghreb Arab Union, NAM, OIC and G77. It also pursues an impressively diverse multilateral policy. Algeria has hosted summits for the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of African Unity, the precursor to the African Union, and the Arab League.

Algeria and China enjoy a traditional relationship of friendship, solidarity and fruitful strategic partnership.

On the political level, relations are excellent, and the consultations between the two countries are constant and are carried out at different levels and in various forums.

Economic relations are progressing steadily for the mutual interest, and Algeria is the first partner of China in Africa and in the Arab world in a number of fields.

The author is Algerian ambassador to China.

(China Daily 07/05/2012 page10)