On April 17, 2002, President Jiang Zemin, on a state visit to Tunisa, met with Fouad Mebazaa, President of the Tunisian National Assembly, and Mohamed Ghannouchi, Prime Minister, on separate occasions, and held friendly talks with them.

Mebazaa said the Tunisian people cherish a deep friendship with the Chinese people and there exist good relations between leaders of the two countries, between the two governments and between his assembly and the Chinese National People's Congress. Noting that the Tunisian side is ready to further promote bilateral relations, he spoke highly of China's success in its development. He thinks China's development experiences provide an important and beneficial lesson for Tunisia and other developing countries.

Jiang said that he felt the warmth and friendship of the Tunisian people everywhere after he arrived in Tunisia. He said the mutual understanding between the two peoples is being deepened and bilateral friendly cooperation is proceeding in a smooth and fruitful way. The two sides have reached extensive consensus on international and regional issues. China values its friendly cooperative ties with Tunisia and it is of great importance for both sides to strengthen multi-level contacts, including those between the two parliaments. Jiang expressed the hope that the friendly relations between China and Tunisia will bear more fruitful results in the new century. Jiang also introduced the role of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in China's social and political life at request.

Ghannouchi warmly welcomed Jiang's visit on behalf of the Tunisian government. He said China has for years supported Tunisia's economic development, especially the water resource projects, which are a symbol of the friendly feelings between the two peoples, and the Tunisian government and people are very grateful. Inviting more Chinese companies to invest and run businesses in Tunisia, Ghannouchi said there exists great potential for bilateral economic and trade cooperation. In particular, Tunisia connects Western Europe to the north and Africa to the south, and can play as a bridge in trade.