China will strengthen cooperation with Tunisia under the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao said Thursday.

Li made the remarks while meeting with visiting Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui.

Hailing the two countries' traditional friendship, Li said China and Tunisia supported each other on issues of core interest and major concerns, coordinated in international and regional affairs, and witnessed remarkable achievements in cooperation.

Li said Tunisia was welcome to the Belt and Road Initiative, and called on both sides to beef up pragmatic cooperation within other frameworks such as the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to elevate bilateral ties to a new high.

Jhinaoui expressed the Tunisian side's willingness to participate in the Belt and Road development and boost cooperation in various areas.