Jia Qinglin(R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference(CPPCC), meets with Idriss Arnaoud Ali, secretary-general of the People's Rally for Progress (PRP) of Djibouti, in Beijing, July 1, 2010.(Xinhua Photo)

China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin met in Beijing on Thursday with a party leader of the People's Rally for Progress (PRP) of Djibouti, pledging closer ties between the two countries and parties.

China appreciated Djibouti's support on issues concerning China's core interests and would like to work with the African country to explore further cooperation on areas like education, agriculture and healthcare, said Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body.

While speaking to the PRP secretary-general Idriss Arnaoud Ali, Jia, also a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, vowed to enhance exchanges with the PRP so as to push forward friendship between the two countries and peoples.

Jia said the CPPCC would also step up cooperation with the Djibouti parliament to consolidate the social basis for friendship.

Ali expressed his thanks for China's assistance for Djibouti and other African countries, saying his country would continue to follow the one-China policy and firmly support China's development.