Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh said Friday in Beijing that his country always keeps the market open to seek more investment from China.

China has been Yemen's close friend and partner, said Saleh in an interview with Xinhua, adding that Yemen-China political relations are characterized by mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs.

Saleh expressed his thanks for China's support and help when Yemen was in hardship.

Yemen-China trade cooperation have seen rapid development in the past years, said Saleh, who is paying a state visit to China in company of a 100-member-strong business delegation.

Statistics from the Chinese customs show that the trade value between the two countries topped 3.22 billion U.S. dollars in 2005, up 67.8 percent.

Following talks between Saleh and Chinese President Hu Jintao on Thursday, the two countries signed eight cooperative agreements concerning energy, telecommunication and infrastructure. Saleh described his current China tour significant and fruitful.

Saleh left here Friday for Hong Kong, continuing his state visit to China. This is his third visit to China as Yemeni president.

Source: Xinhua