国内英语新闻:China, Colombia to strengthen party ties

BOGOTA, April 24 (Xinhua) -- A senior official with the Communist Party of China (CPC) has reiterated that CPC is willing to improve ties with major parties of Colombia and consolidate political basis for bilateral relations, Xinhua learned on Tuesday.

"Party-to-party exchange is an important part of international relations, which plays an irreplaceable role in advancing state-to- state ties and promoting understanding and friendship among people, " Li Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said in a meeting with Antonio Guerra, acting President of the Colombian Senate, before he wrapped up a two-day visit to Colombia Monday evening.

"CPC is willing to strengthen exchange and cooperation with major parties in the Colombian parliament," said Li.

Guerra said the two countries have achieved satisfying results in cooperation of all areas and China's achievement in social and economic development has set a good example for other developing countries.

"Though far apart, Colombian and Chinese people have maintained sound friendship," Guerra said. "We would like to make further progress in the exchange and cooperation between the parliaments and the parties of our two countries, and work together to advance our relations."

The Colombian parliament has conferred Colombia's highest honor, the Golden Cross, on Li in a bid to thank Li for his efforts in promoting bilateral relations.

Li also met with leaders of the five ruling parties of Colombia on Monday. He also attended another ceremony with Colombian Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin, at which, a series of agreements were signed to further cooperation in trade, culture and education between the two countries.

Colombia is the third leg of Li's four-country tour. During his stay in the South American country, Li also met with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos.

He will move on to visit Indonesia.