Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (1st R) meets with visiting Nigerian Senate President David Mark in Beijing, capital of China, May 13, 2014. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday met with visiting Nigerian Senate President David Mark.

Li said that his visit to Nigeria last week was an important part of his Africa tour and the two sides consolidated bilateral traditional friendship, set new targets for pragmatic cooperation and deepened strategic partnership.

He saw not only an emerging Nigeria but also a hopeful Africa through the visit, according to Li.

Mark said that Nigeria highly appreciates Li's visit to the country in a very difficult time, noting that it highlights the two countries' brotherhood and enhanced the morale of Nigeria's government and people.

Li said that China appreciates Nigeria's commitment to safeguarding the security of Chinese agencies and people in the country. Mark said Nigeria welcomes Chinese companies' investment in Nigeria and will offer security and convenience.

Li said China is willing to work with African countries including Nigeria to implement the guiding concept and framework proposed by Chinese leaders to push forward China-Africa all-round mutually beneficial cooperation.

The two sides should expand bilateral trade and investment, implement major projects, enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges so as to promote bilateral relations to a new stage, said Li.

He expressed expectations for the legislative bodies of the two countries to make new contributions to China-Nigeria ties.

Mark said the Nigerian Parliament is willing to work with the Chinese side to strengthen communication and cooperation in order to push forward bilateral strategic partnership.